hi  STORY  OF  THE 

REE  Baptist  V\/oman's 
issioNARY  Society 


aitl\^ancl  'lorks    m 


HISTORY 


OF    THE 


Free  Baptist 

Woman's  Missionary  Society 


Bv  .Wary   A.    1)a\is. 


Motto,  Faitk  and  IVorks  IVm. 

Colors,  Saf^pkhf  niuf  and  GoU. 

Published  by  the  FREE  BAPTIST  WOMAN'S  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 


BOSTON.   MASS.: 

THE    MORNING    STAR    PUBLISHING    HOUSK 

457    Shawmut    Avenue. 

1900. 


Copyright,   i  900, 

BY    THE 

Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 


DKDICAI  ION. 


TO    lUI.    .M^.M<)k^     oi     MV    Mo'JMKR, 

Hilary  Praho  poii;ins, 

AN   KNIHL-.SIASIIC  ADNOCAIE 

OF    AI.I,   THK    MISSIONARY    ENTERPRISES    OF    THE    DENOMINATION 

TO    WHICH 

SHE    GAVE    A    LIFELONG    ALLK.<  ;iANCE. 

THE    FIRST    CONTRIBUTOR 

TO    IHE 

FREE    BAPTIST    I?IBLE    SCHOOL    IN    INDIA. 

IN    GRATIIIDE 

FOR 

EARLY    MISSIONARY    LF.SSONS. 


INTRODUCTION. 


With  a  reverent  belief  that  the  Heavenly  Father  is  well  pleased  when 
his  children  not  only  ai)preciate  his  gracious  dealings  with  them,  but  with 
loving  gratitude  let  it  be  known  to  the  world,  this  brief  hi^torv  of  his 
leadings  for  twenty-seven  years  is  given  to  the  public. 

Should  the  reader  detect  errors  in  data  here  contained,  kindly  in- 
dulgence is  begged  and  a  charitable  thought  to  the  diverse  and  often 
meager  sources  from  which  information  has  been  gleaned  with  untiring 
patience. 

Time  and  space  have  been  allowed  for  allusion  to  only  a  very  few  of 
the  choice  spirits,  whose  deeds  of  sacrifice  for  this  enterprise  might  justly 
fill  the  pages  of  its  history.  Many  of  these  women  are  seldom  seen  or 
heard  in  public  and  their  names  are  comparatively  unknown  outside  their 
own  circ  le  of  frientls,  but  their  adherence  to  convictions  of  duty  merits 
the  highest  commendation. 

In  the  schoolroom,  in  the  shop,  at  the  desk,  in  the  solitutle  of  the 
bereaved  home,  amid  the  cares  of  large  households,  with  the  ringing 
prattle  of  (hildhood  about  them,  their  busy  brains  have  planned,  their 
hands  have  executed,  and  their  hearts  have  prayed.  Their  counsels,  in- 
terest, and  labors  have  been  unflagging  and  unfailing. 

lor  the  speetly  forgiveness  of  mistakes  and  for  signal  blessings  that 
have  contributed  to  make  the  record  of  this  organization  one  of  uninter- 
rupted growth  anil  progress, 

••  We  thank  thee,  ()  Lord." 

M  AKV   A.    h.wis. 
Ocean  Piirk,  .\ft\,  Jan.  /,  igoo. 


CONTENTS. 


I.     rionetr  Women 9 

II.     The  Kirst  National  Woman's  Missionary  Soeiety 14 

III.  Organization  of  the  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society  .        .        -23 

IV.  The  South  and  Its  Claims.     Storer  College 30 

\'.     The  Missionary  Helper.     How  the  Children  Helped 37 

VI.  The  West  and  Its  Opportunities.     Harriet  IVeston  Phillips      .        .        .        -41 

VII.     Dorcas    I-"olsom    Smith.     Sinclair    Orphanage.     Widows'    Home.      National 

Council  of  Women 46 

VIII.     Kducational  Bureau.     Charter.     Advisory  Committee 53 

I\.     Working  Capital.     Cristy  Bequest.     Thank-Offering.     Executive  Committee. 

Basis  of  Work.      Instructions 58 

X.     Summary 63 


C HAIDER    I. 

PlOXF.F.R    WOMEX. 

'ON  a  breezy  hilltop  overlooking  some  of  the  most  entrancing 
scenery  of  the  (iranite  State  stands  a  shaft  of  the  purest  Italian 
marble.  Inscribed  upon  its  plinth  is  the  name  of  Uenjamin  Ran- 
dall. A  few  rods  distant,  under  the  canopy  of  the  open  sky,  one  memo- 
rable day  near  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century,  was  vouchsafed 
audience  with  the  King  of  heaven  to  this  young  enthusiast.  To  him  were 
there  unfolded  certain  truths  which  had  heretofore  eluded  his  most  ear- 
nest and  patient  research,  making  of  this  spot  a  veritable  Pisgah's  top. 
With  enlightened  vision  he  saw  the  jiath  of  duty  plain.  Church  and  state 
were  at  that  time  united  in  New  Knglantl,  the  state  church  being  Congre- 
gationalist.  Ba]nists  had  separated  from  it  and  were  more  liberal,  but 
.still  taught  unconditional  election,  absolute  perfection  of  the  saint.s,  and 
close  communion.  In  the  doctrine  of  election  both  professors  and  sin- 
ners were  sustained  by  a  false  hope.  The  sinner  claimed  he  would  be 
.saved  if  he  were  to  be  saved  ;  the  professor  believed  if  he  were  once  in 
grace  he  would  always  be  in  grace.  There  was  no  freedom  of  choice.  It 
was  a  forlorn  hope,  while  men  were  waiting,  ignorant  whether  they  were  or 
were  not  among  the  elect. 

Into  such  a  turmoil  of  religious  beliefs  entered  this  young  disciple, 
eager  to  find  a  firm  foundation  for  his  personal  convictions.  Freedom  of 
choice  he  intuitively  felt  and  knew  he  possessed.  His  Bible  did  not  re- 
fute the  idea.  After  much  hesitation,  foreseeing  that  persecution  would 
inevitably  follow,  he  frankly  avowed  his  belief,  and  as  a  heretic  was 
promptly  dropped  from  the  roll  of  his  church  membership.  For  three 
years  he  told  with  ever-increasing  power  of  the  love  of  God  born  in  his 
soul,  under  the  influence  of  which  multitudes  were  led  from  a  life  of  sin 
to  one  of  righteousness.  Near  the  spot  where  he  had  held  hallowed  and 
awful  communion  with  God,  by  advice  of  friends,  an  edifice  was  erected 
and  an  independent  church  established,  called  "  the  Church  of  Christ." 
He  was  ordained,  elected  pastor,  and  here  twenty-eight  years  after  was 
borne  to  rest  by  the  hands  of  loving  followers.  .As  the  distinguishing 
characteristics  of  the  new  denomination  were  freedom  of  thought,  freedom 
of  the  will,  free  grace,  and  free  communion,  the  members  were  by  their 
opposers  called  in  derision  "  Freewillers,"  "  Freewill  Baptists."  The  last 
name,  after  twenty  years,  was  adopted,  but  ultimately  changed  to  Free 
Jiaptists,  as  best  conveying  the  idea  of  principles  inc-ulcated. 


lo  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

The  women  of  the  new  organization  were  duly  impressed  with  the 
significance  of  their  position.  One  historian  pays  to  them  this  tribute  : 
"  Let  it  be  remembered  that  of  all  persons  called  to  assume  unusual 
cares,  submit  to  unusual  privations,  and  to  sacrifice  social  comforts  in  the 
early  days  of  this  denomination,  its  pioneer  women  stand  among  the 
first."  The  opening  half-century  abounds  in  instances  of  the  rarest  self- 
sacrifice.  A  church  owing  its  existence  to  rebellion  against  oppressive 
taxation  for  religious  purposes,  based  upon  consecration  to  God  as  op- 
posed to  form  ilism,  with  a  radical  belief  that  religion  should  be  purely 
spiritual,  rapidly  developed  a  suffering,  poverty-stricken  clergy.  It  is  not 
strange  that  the  rebound  from  intolerance  was  extreme,  nevertheless  it 
was  a  mistake  which  it  took  years  to  rectify.  The  necessary  separation 
from  the  husband  for  long  periods  during  extensive  ministerial  tours 
among  the  churches,  with  often  a  large  and  dependent  family,  their  posi- 
tion isolated  from  public  and  social  interests,  combined  with  lack  of 
compensation  for  his  services,  developed  women  of  self-reliance  but  bitter 
experience. 

One  of  these  women  pathetically  wrote  her  husband,  "  Our  hay  has 
been  gone  for  a  long  time  except  one  bundle  which  I  have  saved  for  your 
horse.  We  have  fed  all  the  corn  and  potatoes  and  emptied  every  straw- 
bed  but  one  to  keep  the  cattle  from  starving."  When  her  husband  returned 
he  found  that  one  hundred  dollars'  worth  of  stock  had  perished.  A  pastor 
of  this  period  says,  "  Reaching  home  one  evening  from  a  preaching  tour 
I  found  my  wife  weeping  over  our  lovely  babe,  cold  in  death.  Alone  she 
had  watched  the  dying  child.  Alone  she  had  borne  the  family  burdens. 
I  could  not  refrain  from  self-reproach,  and  in  the  anguish  of  my  heart  ex- 
claim, '  They  made  me  keeper  of  the  vineyard,  but  mine  own  vineyard 
have  I  not  kept.'  "  Rev.  Clement  Phinney  relates  that,  while  laboring  in 
a  revival  twenty  miles  from  home,  the  last  morsel  that  his  larder  contained 
was  consumed  by  his  family.  Together  they  left  their  home.  The  father 
soon  meeting  the  travelers  inquired,  "  Where  are  you  all  going?  "  "  We 
have  started  to  search  for  our  dinner,"  replied  the  wife.  "  Here  it  is," 
answered  Mr.  Phinney,  placing  his  hand  upon  a  package  with  which  his 
horse  was  laden. 

The  denomination  recognized  woman's  legitimate  place  in  the  church 
and  granted  the  fullest  freedom  for  the  exercise  of  her  ability  in  public. 
Noted  examples  of  women  are  recorded  who  served  acceptably  as  church 


Free  Bjptist  IVonmii's  Missiouaty  Society. 


II 


'^MB^^M^ 


I 


12  Free  Baptist  IVoman's  Missionary  Society. 

clerks  and  messengers  to  other  bodies.  One  woman,  at  several  different 
times,  walked  thirty-five  miles  to  attend  and  report  denominational 
gatherings. 

Mrs.  Mary  Savage,  Woolwich,  Me.,  better  known  as  Molly  Card,  was 
the  first  woman  preacher  among  Freewill  Baptists.  She  had  been  nearly 
blind  from  birth,  but,  being  of  strong  mind,  deep  sympathies,  and  rich 
Christian  experience,  she  possessed  much  knowledge  of  human  nature  and 
great  spiritual  discernment.  Miss  Sally  Parsons,  in  1792,  deeply  im- 
pressed with  a  call  to  public  service,  was  banished  from  her  father's  house 
because  of  her  decision  to  obey  her  conscience.  Provided  with  a  horse, 
saddle,  and  bridle — a  gift  from  a  yearly  meeting — she  spent  several  years 
traveling  among  and  aiding  feeble  churches. 

Miss  Clarissa  Danforth,  Weathersfield,  Vt.,  becoming  a  Christian 
under  the  preaching  of  John  Colby,  was  a  noble  woman.  She  was  of  good 
family,  well  educated,  dignified,  easy  in  manners.  Her  language  was 
ready  and  simple,  her  gestures  appropriate,  and  her  voice  easily  filled  a 
large  andience  room.  Of  unusual  piety  and  extraordinary  talent,  she  was 
listened  to  by  great  congregations  with  unabated  attention.  She  traveled 
extensively  in  her  own  state.  New  Hampshire,  and  Massachusetts.  She 
spent  several  years  in  Rhode  Island  which  resulted  in  extensive  revivals, 
and  the  founding  of  several  churches,  among  them  the  one  in  Greenville. 
She  married  in  1822  and  removed  to  New  York,  after  which  she  seldom 
spoke  in  public.  Mrs.  Anna  Stone  Anderson,  Columbus,  N.  Y.,  received 
license  to  preach  in  1839,  and  was  for  many  years  actively  engaged  in 
ministerial  work,  both  as  pastor  and  evangelist.  Her  labors,  though 
largely  confined  to  New  York,  extended  into  Pennsylvania  and  Rhode 
Island.  Mrs.  Ruby  Knapp  Bixby,  Huntington,  Vt.,  went  with  her  hus- 
band to  Edgewood,  Iowa,  where  she  alone  enjoyed  the  tide,  "  the 
woman  preacher."  For  twenty  years  she  labored  as  an  evangelist  with 
distinguished  success.  She  was  taken  ill  at  her  last  public  service  and 
survived  but  two  weeks. 

What  may  have  been  erroneously  styled  "  the  Pauline  doctrine  " — 
the  silence  of  women  in  churches — gained  ascendancy  about  the  middle 
of  the  nineteenth  century.  It  was  still  desired  that  they  work  in  a  private 
way,  in  societies  with  men,  but  public  speaking,  public  service,  any  ap- 
pearance upon  the  public  platform,  was  not  considered  proper  for  Freewill 
I>aptist  women. 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  i^ 

The  year  1847  marked  an  era  in  history.  Elizabeth  Cady  Stanton, 
Lucretia  Mott,  Mary  Ann  Mcl.intock,  and  their  coadjutors,  moved  by  a 
subtle,  inner  sense  of  latent  power  thit  might  be  developed  for  the  benefit 
of  humanity,  had  presented  their  i)eculiar  views  with  tongue  and  pen. 
The  sluggish  waters  of  public  opinion  were  stirretl,  arousing  the  attention 
of  thoughtful  men  and  women.  Criticisms  ad\erse  and  flattering  followed, 
until  the  term  "  women's  rights  "  rippled  gleefully  from  the  tongues  of 
school  boys  and  girls,  mingling  with  the  more  sedate  utterances  of  grave 
women  and  eminent  statesmen.  At  Seneca  Falls,  N.  Y.,  July  19,  20,  an 
organization  was  effected,  after  much  opposition  to  the  employment  of 
women  speakers,  who  had  often  been  mobbed  and  insulted. 

A  declaration,  modeled  from  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and 
containing  the  same  number  of  articles,  eighteen,  was  prepared  and  ac- 
cepted, setting  forth  the  inalienable  right  of  woman  not  only  to  equal 
privileges  in  universities,  trades,  professions,  elective  franchise,  to  share  in 
all  political  offices  and  emoluments,  to  complete  equality  in  marriage,  to 
personal  freedom  in  the  use  of  property  and  wages  and  the  care  of  chil- 
dren, to  make  contracts,  to  sue  and  be  sued,  to  testify  in  courts  of  justice, 
but  also  the  riglit  to  public  ])artici|)ation  in  the  affairs  of  the  church,  from 
which  she  had  hitherto  been  largely  excluded. 

The  antique  mahogany  table  upon  which  this  historic  document  was 
signed  by  over  one  hundred  men  and  women  now  stands  in  the  parlor  of 
Susan  B.  Anthony,  Rochester,  N.  V.,  a  pleasing  souvenir  of  the  contest 
then  commenced,  which  has  given  to  every  woman  the  advanced  position 
she  occupies  to-dav.  The  con\ention  adjourned  to  meet  two  weeks  later 
in  Rochester,  N.  V.,  where  the  opening  jjrayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Hiram 
Whitcher  ;  the  act  of  this  liberal-minded  clergyman  identifying  the  Free- 
will Baptists  with  the  movement  at  that  early  date. 

.An  atmosphere  charged  with  such  a  spirit,  surrounding  a  denomina- 
tion noted  for  being  fountl  always  in  the  front  ranks  of  reform,  together 
with  the  position  accorded  them  in  previous  years,  could  not  fail  to  have 
a  stimulating  tendency  upon  its  clear-sighted  and  quick-brained  women. 
Of  hardy  Puritan  stock,  they  were  naturally  religiously  inclined.  Train- 
ing and  environment  added  strength  to  natural  inclination.  "  \\hat  can 
we  do  to  heli»  our  church?"  was  their  first  question.  It  brought  a  livel\- 
pulse-beat  and  sent  the  hot  blood  to  their  finger-tii)s. 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  First  National  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 
77  [7  PON  a  woman  rests  the  honor  of  being  the  first  instriimentahty  in 
il  arousing  Free  Baptists  to  an  interest  in  the  heathen.     Rev.  Amos 

x^  Sutton,  missionary  of  the  General  Baptists  of  England  to  India, 
had  married  an  American  woman.  At  a  time  when  his  mission  was  in 
great  need  of  reinforcements  she  mentioned  that  in  her  own  country  was 
a  denomination  similar  to  his  own,  from  which  he  might  secure  aid.  A 
correspondence  followed  her  suggestion,  which  resulted  in  the  formation 
of  the  Freewill  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society  in  1833. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Sutton  visited  America  and  were  entertained  at  the 
home  of  Rev.  David  Marks  and  his  accomplished  wife.  These  guests  had 
been  associated  with  Ann  Hasseltine  Judson  in  the  Burmah  Mission,  and 
as  they  narrated  the  perils  through  which  they  had  passed  and  the  fearful 
degradation  of  the  women  of  that  heathen  land  the  missionary  spirit  was 
so  intensified  in  the  hearts  of  host  and  hostess  that  it  was  never  to  know 
diminution.  When  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Sutton  returned  to  India,  in  1835,  they 
were  accompanied  by  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Jeremiah  Phillips  and  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Eli  Noyes — the  first  foreign  missionaries  of  th-e  Freewill  Baptists. 

The  following  quaint  bit  of  history  of  the  organization  of  the  first 
local  "  Freewill  Baptist  Female  Foreign  Mission  Society,"  by  Mrs.  Ann 
Winsor,  the  only  surviving  charter  member,  will  indicate  some  of  the 
difficulties  which  the  brave  women  of  the  denomination  were  to  encounter  : 

"In  1841  Rev.  I^li  Noyes,  having  returned  from  India,  came  to 
Providence  to  labor  with  the  Rhode  Island  churches  upon  the  subject  of 
missions.  He  made  his  home  with  us  for  several  weeks.  I  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Olneyville  church.  Our  pastor  was  a  good  man,  a  stanch 
abolitionist,  and  possessed  a  strong  missionary  spirit,  but  was  only  inter- 
ested in  home  missions.  For  this  reason  none  of  his  church  had  an 
opportunity  to  learn  much  about  foreign  missions  through  his  teaching. 
At  the  request  of  Mr.  Noyes  I  invited  ladies  of  the  Olneyville  church  to 
meet  him  at  my  house.  About  twenty  were  present.  After  answering 
our  cpiestions  with  great  cordiality  and  giving  much  valuable  information 
he  proposed  the  formation  of  a  society,  which  was  commenced  that  after- 
noon.     Mr.  Noyes  aftenvard  returned  to  give  us  a  lecture  upon   missions. 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  75 

The  Sabbath  before  he  came  our  dearly  beloved  pastor  decided  to  s])eak 
upon  the  same  subject.  He  had  much  to  say  about  the  extravagant  way 
in  which  the  foreign  mission  was  carried  on,  high  salaries,  etc.  One  re- 
mark, which  I  think  showetl  the  tenor  of  the  whole  discourse,  I  well 
remember  :  '  A  certain  man  wished  to  contribute  for  the  heathen  ;  he 
gave  the  agent  five  cents,  then  gave  him  five  dollars,  saying  the  latter 
would  pay  for  getting  the  five  cents  to  the  heathen.'  At  a  later  date, 
witnessing  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  he  and  his  wife  both  became 
contributors." 

The  Freewill  I>aptist  New  Hampshire  Yearly  Meeting  held  its  annual 
session,  June,  1847,  in  Lisbon.  During  the  business  meetings,  which  the 
sisters,  uninvited,  were  not  accustomed  to  attend,  ihev,  while  idly  waiting 
at  the  homes  where  they  were  entertained,  conceived  the  idea  that  much 
precious  time  was  being  wasteil  while  their  usually  busy  brains  and  hands 
were  so  inactive.  Discussing  the  matter  with  much  uplifting  of  their 
hearts,  there  came  the  decision  that  they  might  greatly  iielp  the  home  and 
foreign  missions  of  their  denomination  by  soliciting  funds  and  thereby 
awaking  greater  interest  in  the  subject.  An  organization  was  the  result, 
called  the  "  New  Hampsliire  Yearly  Meeting  l>enevolent  Association," 
which  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  (icneral  Conference,  Sutton.  Vt.,  in 
October  of  the  same  year,  to  form  a  plan  of  operations. 

In  the  Morning  Star,  volume  28,  page  (37,  it  is  recorded  that  one 
of  the  speakers  at  that  Conference  said,  "  If  I  mistake  not,  this  society 
was  formed  at  the  suggestion  of  the  English  delegate,  Dr.  Burns,  who  has 
found  that  women  in  his  country  have  done  much  in  this  direction." 

The  record  still  further  states,  "  Mrs.  Hutchins,  treasurer  of  the 
society,  handed  the  reporter  the  following  item,  by  which  it  would  seem 
that  the  credit  of  originating  the  Female  Missionary  Society  was  due  to 
American  women  :  '  The  sisters  met  in  Sutton,  \'t.,  Oct.  13,  1847,  at  the 
time  designated,  according  to  adjournment  in  Lisbon  the  previous  June. 
As  Dr.  Burns,  delegate  from  the  General  Baptists  of  England,  was  present 
and  experienced  in  the  work  of  missions  in  his  own  country,  two  of  the 
sisters,  .Mrs.  Hutchins  and  Mrs.  Ramsey,  asked  counsel  of  him  as  to  the 
best  methods  of  procedure.  He  strongly  ai)proved  the  object  and  urged 
them  to  undertake  it,  but  said  his  little  island  was  so  unlike  our  great 
country  he  hardly  knew  how  the  tlenomination  could  be  reached,  scat- 
tered as  it  was  over  so  large  a  territorv.      He  believed,  liowever,  it  could 


i6  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

be  done.  He  advised  the  formation  of  a  female  denominational  society 
and  the  issue  of  a  circular  and  missionary  cards  for  the  purpose  of  secur- 
ing weekly  pledges.'  "  His  advice  was  followed,  and  the  "  weekly  offer- 
ing "  was  then  first  adopted  by  Freewill  Baptists.  Thirty-four  names 
having  been  secured  and  the  organization  completed  it  was  called  the 
"  Freewill  Baptist  Female  Missionary  Society." 

Dr.  Burns  presided  at  the  public  meeting  which  followed,  and  de- 
livered an  address  to  the  society.  He  said  it  was  the  first  time  he  had 
ever  spoken  to  a  congregation  exclusively  female.  (Men  could  not 
attend  unless  they  paid  an  extra  fee  for  missions.)  He  alluded  to  the 
high  honors  God  had  conferred  upon  women.  Miriam  Idtl  in  celebrating 
the  release  of  her  nation  from  a  bondage  of  two  hundred  years.  Deborah 
was  appointed  a  judge  in  Israel.  Esther  was  given  courage  to  peril  her 
own  life  to  save  her  nation.  Hannah  is  mentioned  as  the  pious  mother 
of  Samuel,  and  Mary  as  the  honored  mother  of  our  Lord.  Christ's  most 
devoted  friends  were  women.  He  said,  "  I  like  to  see  sisters  engaged  in 
all  the  blessed  ministrations  of  home,  but  I  like  best  to  see  them  follow 
the  example  of  those  who  labored  with  Paul  in  the  gospel.  I  believe 
when  your  system  is  in  operation  you  will  do  more  in  one  year  for  mis- 
sions than  the  Freewill  Baptists  have  hitherto  done  during  their  existence." 

Dr.  Burns  preached  the  previous  Sabbath  at  one  of  the  village 
churches,  and  Rev.  t^li  Noyes,  who  had  just  returned  to  America,  occupied 
the  pulpit  of  another  church,  warning  his  congregation  that  unless  they 
gave  a  liberal  offering  the  "  British  lion  "  would  beat  us  on  our  own 
shores.     Large  collections  were  the  result  in  both  churches. 

The  following  November  the  officers  met  by  appointment  at  South 
Berwick,  Me.,  with  a  number  of  brethren  especially  imbued  with  the  spirit 
of  missions.  Rev.  F^lias  Hutchins  presided.  Rev.  Ransom  Dunn  served 
as  recording  secretary.  At  this  time  a  committee  of  correspondence  was 
appointed  to  either  form  auxiliaries  or  designate  collectors  in  each  church. 
The  list  of  members  and  the  committee  of  correspondence  contain  the 
name  of  nearly  every  prominent  worker,  from  the  farthest  east  to  the  most 
distant  west,  among  the  Freewill  l>aptist  women  of  the  period.  Of  the 
number  only  four  survive — a  venerable  Mrs.  Hills  of  New  York  ;  Mrs.  Eli 
Noyes,  one  of  the  first  honored  four  Freewill  Baptist  missionaries  to  India  ; 
"  Mother  Hills,"  whose  life  has  been  an  inspiration  to  whatever  has  been 
done  in  the  denomination  for  evangelizing  heathendom  ;  and  Mrs.  Vienna 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missioimry  Society. 


17 


''f\.t 


G.  Ramsey,  whose  "  Cen- 
ser "  of  song  has  recently 
wafted  to  our  hearts  some 
of  the  incense  of  her  own 
self-sacrificing  spirit.  I  )r. 
O.  R.  liacheler,  our  be- 
loved veteran  missionary, 
with  a  record  of  fifty-three 
years  of  service  for  a  for- 
eign land,  and  his  esteemed 
wife,  Mrs.  .Sarah  F.  Hach- 
eler,  were  its  steadfast  sup- 
porters and  never  failed  to 
voice  its  claims  whenever 
occasion  afforded  during 
the  existence  of  this  organ- 
ization. 

A  new  per])lexity  con- 
fronted the  society  at  its 
second  anniversary,  where 
we  hnd  its  uieinliers  discussing  ''What  are  the  best  methods  to  adopt 
by  which  to  awaken  more  interest  among  our  ministers  and  their  wives 
m  the  mission  cause?"  The  corresponding  secretary  was  advised  to 
write  ea(  I1  member  of  the  corresponding  committee,  stimulating  them 
to  greater  activity.  Mrs.  Noyes,  on  furlough  from  India,  and  Miss  l.avina 
Crawford,  missionary-elect,  were  recjuested  to  labor  among  the  churche.s 
in  their  respective  (luarterly  meetings. 

At  the  third  annu  il  meeting,  Oct.  10,  1850,  it  was  decided,  as  this 
society  was  auxiliary  to  the  home  and  foreign  mission  societie.s,  to  so  alter 
Its  constitution  as  to  dispense  with  the  office  of  treasurer,  and  send  all 
collected  funds  directly  to  the  treasurer  of  those  societies,  UilHam  burr. 
This  session  was  rendered  further  memorable  by  the  i)resence  of  Rev. 
Amos  Sutton,  twenty  years  missionary  in  liurmah,  and  of  Miss  Crawford, 
just  ready  to  leave  her  native  land.  Mr.  .Sutton's  words  were  inspiring. 
After  relating  many  incidents  connected  with  his  labors  he  continued,  "  It 
is  only  where  Christianity  has  molded  the  customs  and  opinions  of  the 
people  that  women  have  been  dealt  with  appropriately.     Teach  vour  chil- 


Mrs.  Vienna  G.   Ramsey, 
First  Corresponding  SecreUry. 


i8  Free  Baptist  Woman's  [Missicmarv  Society. 

dren  about  missions.  Sow  the  seed  in  their  young  hearts,  and  it  will 
blossom  and  bring  fruit  when  they  are  men  and  women.  Only  when  the 
harvest  is  gathered  shall  we  be  fully  apprised  of  the  opportunities 
afforded  us.  Our  work  does  not  terminate  with  ourselves.  The  seed 
we  sow  will  yield  its  harvest  over  the  sower's  grave."  He  gave  his 
opinion  that  single  women,  on  account  of  the  social  condition  of  the 
country,  should  only  go  to  India  when  a  suitable  home  in  a  Christian 
family  awaited  their  arrival. 

Rev.  George  T.  Day  made  a  strong  appeal  for  women  to  go  to  India, 
urging  that  Christian  domestic  and  family  relations  were  greatly  needed 
there  to  influence  the  lives  of  the  natives.  He  read  Miss  Crawford's 
written  address,  in  which  she  stated  she  had  never  expected  to  do  much, 
but  assured  her  sisters  that  she  would  always  hate  sin  and  promote  holi- 
ness to  the  best  of  her  ability  through  life.  She  believed  many  sermons 
were  preached  the  first  Sabbath  in  January  of  that  year  which  doubtless 
would  not  have  found  utterance  but  for  the  request  of  this  society.  Her 
closing  words  throw  a  flash  of  light  into  this  saintly  woman's  heart : 
"  Thirteen  years  ago  I  heard  my  first  missionary  sermon.  I  thought  I 
was  a  Christian  before,  but  after  hearing  that  sermon  I  seemed  to  enter 
upon  a  new  phase  of  existence.  I  had  not  the  slightest  idea  of  being  a 
missionary,  but  I  vowed  I  would  give  myself  to  God.  It  was  all  a  penni- 
less orphan  could  do.  The  offering  was  accepted,  and  I  gladly  follow 
where  Christ  leads  me.  Through  all  these  years  I  seem  to  hear  the 
pathetic  voice  of  Elder  Marks,  saying,  '  Be  careful  how  you  use  the  Lord's 
money.  Be  careful  how  you  spend  your  time  and  how  you  use  your  in- 
fluence.' " 

The  officers  strongly  urged  the  circulation  of  "  Facts  and  Reflec- 
tions," a  book  written  by  Mrs.  Ramsey,  that  the  churches  might  better 
understand  the  condition  of  the  heathen.  Ladies'  aid  societies  were 
asked  to  secure  missionary  intelligence  to  be  read  at  their  meetings,  and 
where  there  were  no  such  societies  the  sisters  were  invited  to  meet  occa- 
sionally for  the  interchange  of  items  of  interest  upon  this  subject. 

The  following  year  the  pastors  were  entreated  to  preach  once  in  three 
months  upon  missions,  and  a  pam])hlet  by  Mrs.  Hutchins,  entitled  "  Free- 
will Baptist  Missions  in  India,"  went  through  several  editions,  and  by  an 
extensive  circulation  aided  in  arousing  greater  zeal.  In  1853  there  was 
especial  correspondence  with  the  wives  of  home  missionaries,  ascertaining 


Free  Bjptisl  Woiuan's  Missionary  Society. 


19 


facts  with  reference  to  their  locations  and  work,  such  facts  as  deemed 
advisable  to  advance  the  cause  of  missions  being  designed  for  publication 
in  the  Morning  Star,  under  the  direction  of  the  corresponding  committee. 
A  call  was  at  this  time  issued  that  the  first  Sabbath  in  January  be 
observed  throughout  the  denomination  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  i)rayer  for 
the  spread  of  the  gospel  in  foreign  1  inds.  In  1S54,  at  Saco,  a  more  de- 
termined and  energetic 
effort  was  matle  to  induce 
all  the  women  in  the 
churches  to  pledge  one 
cent  a  week,  even  where 
there  were  no  auxiliaries. 
In  1S57  the  pastors  were 
asked  to  establish  mis- 
sionary concerts,  and  en- 
treated to  appoint  effi- 
t  ient  collectors  to  secure 
weekly  pledges  from  both 
men  and  women,  that 
they  might,  according  to 
liible  rule,  give  as  (iod 
had  prospered  them  ; 
these  sums  to  be  i)aiil 
weekl\ ,  monthly,  or  annu- 
all\-,  at  the  convenience 
of  the  subscribers.  A 
conference  was  also  ar- 
ranged with  the  secretaries  of  the  home  and  foreign  societies,  "  seeking 
advice  for  farther  labor  in  the  holy  cause  of  missions." 

In  1858  Miss  Crawford,  then  on  furlough,  was  invited  to  visit  the 
churches,  and  was  appointed  agent  to  procure  weekly  pledges  and  prepare 
a  leaflet  upon  the  subject  for  gratuitous  tlistribution.  Dr.  P.acheler  was 
asked  to.  tlo  the  same  work  among  the  churches,  and  a  request  was  made 
that  the  Morning  Star  designate  some  one  to  j)repare  a  column  of  mis- 
sionary items  for  each  weekly  issue. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  Lowell,  1859,  it  is  recorded  that,  "by  rea- 
son of  recent  heavy  afflictions,  our  corresponding  secretary,  Mrs.  M.  M. 
Hutchins,  was  not  able  to  prei)are  her  report." 


U. 


Nancj-   Fcikins  Cheney, 
lirst   kecortliiig  Secretary. 


20  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

To  better  express  its  broadening  influence,  in  1863  the  name  of  the 
organization  was  changed  to  "  Freewill  Baptist  Ladies'  Systematic  Benefi- 
cence Society." 

In  Providence,  R.  I.,  1864,  new  light  was  thrown  upon  the  system  of 
weekly  pledges  by  consultation  with  Dr.  Ross  of  England,  and  an  appeal 
was  made  to  pastors  to  co-operate  with  the  women,  "  if  they  approve 
their  measures,"  in  making  a  special  effort  to  enlist  the  chiklren  and  youth 
in  systematic  beneficence.  At  Lewiston,  1865,  Dr.  Oren  B  Cheney, 
president  of  Bates  college  and  honored  husband  of  Nancy  Perkins  Cheney, 
the  first  recording  secretary,  presided  over  a  very  enthusiastic  session  of 
the  society  held  in  connection  with  the  General  Conference,  at  which 
addresses  were  given  by  Dr.  Edmund  B.  Fairfield,  Dr.  James  Calder,  Rev. 
Charles  O.  Libby,  and  Rev.  Silas  Curtis,  secretaries  of  the  home  and 
foreign  societies.  In  the  business  session  Conference  was  petitioned  to 
publish  a  leaflet  as  an  aid  in  interesting  all  under  the  care  of  the  pastors 
to  adopt  the  weekly  offering. 

In  1867  meetings  are  reported  with  Rev.  Mr.  Hallam,  Rev.  B.  B. 
Smith,  both  recently  returned  from  India,  and  Miss  Anne  Dudley,  just 
from  her  1  ibors  among  the  colored  people  of  the  South,  as  speakers.  The 
records  close  with  the  session  in  Buftalo,  N.  Y.,  1868,  which  seemed  of 
unusual  interest.  Other  meetings  may  have  followed  this,  for  a  younger 
worker  recalls  attending  one  of  the  last  sessions  where  each  nook  and 
corner  of  the  church  and  committee  rooms  were  so  constantly  occupied 
by  the  deliberations  of  the  brethren  that  as  a  last  resort  these  indefatigable 
women  held  their  meeting  upon  the  church  stairs,  the  only  available  place. 
The  result  of  these  combined  efforts  was  the  development  of  an  enthu- 
siastic, steadfast  class  of  women,  whose  names  have  long  graced  the 
annals  of  the  denomination. 

To  gain  any  adequate  idea  of  the  service  rendered  by  these  pioneer 
missionary  workers  it  is  necessary  to  read  carefully  the  chronicles  of  that 
work  in  the  early  volumes  of  the  Morning  Star,  from  the  year  1847  on- 
ward. During  the  eighteen  years  that  Mrs.  Hutchins  served  as  corre- 
sponding secretary  she  compiled  with  great  labor  statistical  tables  showing 
at  a  glance  the  amount  paid  by  each  church,  quarterly  meeting,  and 
yearly  meeting,  and  the  total  amount.  These  tables  were  ado]:)ted  and 
are  now  in  constant  use  in  the  denominational  Year  Book.  The  "  weekly 
offering,"  "  concert  of  prayer,"  "  statistical  tables,"  and  systematic  preach- 


Free  Baptist  IVonhiii's  Missiotiiirv  Society 


21 


ing  upon  missions  by  pastors,  all  of  which  were  established  through  the 
direct  efforts  of  this  society,  are  the  four  foundation-stones  upon  which 
have  been  built  whatever  of  form  or  symmetry  exists  to-day  in  the  mis- 
sionary enterprises  of  the  Free  Baptists. 

The  president  usually  presided  at  the  business  meetings,   but  such 
was  the  modesty  of  these  women  and  the  fear  lest  they  should  dishonor 
the  cause  which  they  wished  to  serve,  combined  witli  the  fact  that  there 
were  enthusiastic,  gifted  men 
ready  to  cham])i()n   their  ef- 
forts, that  only  three  women 
are  known  to  have  taken  an 
active     jxirl    in    any  of    the 
])ublic  gatherings  of  this  or- 
ganization —  Mrs.    Sarah  P. 
Bacheler,  Mrs.  C.  P.  Xoyes, 
and  Miss  Lavina  Crawford. 

At  a  certain  session 
when  the  recording  secre- 
tary, Mrs.  I.  I).  Stewart,  was 
reading  the  records,  one  of 
the  brethren  came  to  the 
door.  She  says,  '•  My  fear 
nearly  took  away  my  breath. 
My  little  daughter  was  rest- 
lessly wandering  about  the 
room.  I  there  in  my  heart 
dedicatetl  her  to  the  cause 
of  missions."  That  daugh- 
ter, now  Prof.  Frances  Stewart  Mosher,  Hillsdale  college,  Mich.,  has  been 
for  years  children's  secretary  for  the  West  and  an  able  public  lecturer. 

.A  statement  is  often  found,  which  at  this  date  seems  amusing,  that 
the  records  and  sometimes  an  address  prepared  by  these  women  were 
read  by  -the  brethren,  after  which  immediate  action  was  taken  to  have 
such  reports  or  addresses  published  in  the  next  issue  of  the  Afornini^ 
Shir.  'I'his  was  the  first  national  woman's  missionary  society  in  this 
country.  Half  a  century  has  made  great  changes  in  women's  position 
and  thrown  new  light  uiH)n  many  intricate  problems  concerning  it. 


Mrs.  I.  D.  Stewart. 


22  Free  Baptist   Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

Two  notable  instances  have  been  discovered  which  show  the  remark- 
able tenacity  for  life  of  this  child  of  sainted  mothers.  The  Penobscot, 
Me.,  Yearly  Meeting  Freewill  Baptist  Female  Missionary  Society,  which 
is  found  from  some  early  records  of  the  Sebec  Quarterly  Meeting  to  have 
had  an  existence  as  early  as  185 1,  has  upon  its  record,  "  Voted,  Aug.  20^ 
1874,  to  unite  with  the  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society."  The 
ladies  of  that  yearly  meeting  had  kept  their  auxiliary  active  until  the 
formation  of  the  present  Woman's  Society,  when  with  its  accumulated 
wisdom  and  strength,  garnered  from  long  and  lone  service,  it  came  to  be 
a  pillar  in  the  new  structure.  In  Tunbridge,  Vt.,  Mrs.  Major  Smith,  with 
remarkable  loyalty,  held  the  auxiliary  of  her  own  church  to  the  path 
marked  out  by  the  Ladies'  Systematic  Beneficence  Society,  until,  years 
after,  it  united  with  the  present  Woman's  Missionary  Society  and  formed 
the  nucleus  of  the  work  throughout  the  state. 

Does  the  query  arise,  "  Why  did  such  an  effort  come  to  what  would 
seem  to  be  an  untimely  end?  "  For  the  success  of  any  organization  there 
must  be  finances  held  in  trust  for  which  responsibility  is  felt  and  for 
which  account  must  be  rendered.  The  cause  was  worthy.  The  member- 
ship was  enthusiastic  and  devoted.  The  pulpits  were  unceasingly  stormed 
for  better  methods  of  spreading  the  gospel.  Persistent  faith  was  exer- 
cised, but  faith,  enthusiasm,  devotion  to  a  mere  principle  cannot  be 
transmitted.  The  financial  basis  of  power  was  lackmg.  As  the  members 
passed  away  the  organization  passed  with  them.  There  was  nothing  to 
transmit  except  the  memory  of  "  what  they  had  done."  By  that  they 
will  ever  be  held  in  grateful  veneration.  If  "  to  live  in  the  lives  of  those 
we  have  bettered  is  not  to  die,"  truly  these  are  immortal. 

"  Each  age  has  its  struggles  and  ripens  with  tears 
The  seeds  of  the  harvest  of  oncoming  years, 
And  we  are  the  heirs  of  the  cycles  old 
To  treasures  more  precious  than  silver  and  gold." 

The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  this  society  was  observed  at  Ocean  Park, 
Me.,  with  appropriate  ceremonies  and  the  commencement  of  a  "  Golden 
Memorial  "  fund  for  the  support,  at  the  rate  of  twenty-five  dollars  each 
per  year,  of  the  inmates  of  the  Dorcas  Smith  Widows'  Home  at  Balasore, 
India.     At  the  end  of  six  months  the  fund  amounted  to  $606. 


CHAPTER    III. 

OrCUNIZAI  ION     OF    THE    FrEE    BaFIIST    WoMAN'S    ^IISS1()XAR^■     SOCIKTN-. 


Mrs.  Arcy  Gary  Hayes. 


^OR  nearly  five  years  Free  Bap- 
tist women  were  as  a  whole 
comparatively  inactive  in  mis- 
sion work.  The  lack  of  their  aid  was 
apparent.  The  India  quota  had  been 
weakened  by  removals  and  deaths. 
Santals  were  piteoiisly  pleading  for  a 
missionary  of  their  very  own.  The 
open  doors  of  zenanas  beckoned  ea- 
gerly for  helpers.  To  these  extra  ap- 
peals "  Lack  of  funds,"  was  the  only 
reply.  To  one  woman,  Mrs.  Arcy 
Gary  Hayes,  Lewiston,  Me.,  came  a 
conviction,  born  of  steadfast  faith  and 
persistent  prayer,  that  a  woman's  board 
of  missions  was  a  positive  necessity  and  the  only  proper  method  bv  which 
power  and  permanency  could  be  secured  to  a  missionary  enterprise  among 
Free  Baptist  women. 

In  the  Morning  Star,  May  14,  1873,  appeared  an  article  with  the 
caption,  "  Foreign  Missions — Shall  We  Have  a  Woman's  Board?  "  The 
article  contained  the  following  tribute  :  "  It  is  well  known  that  the  Female 
Systematic  Beneficence  Society,  whose  honorable  record  will  fill  one  of 
the  fairest  pages  in  the  early  history  of  our  foreign  mission,  has  now  been 
for  several  years  dead.  This  for  no  reasons  that  reflect  discredit  upon 
the  society  or  any  of  its  officers.  It  did  not  commit  suicide.  It  fell  as 
the  leaves  fall  in  autumn.  No  effort  for  its  revival  is  proposed,  but  some- 
thing similar  in  its  place  is  as  necessary  as  fresh  leaves  in  spring." 

A  brisk  correspondence  followed,  indicating  that  a  sympathetic  chord 
had  been  touched  in  many  hearts.  A  general  unrest  seemed  pervading 
the  women  of  the  denomination.  Their  sisters  in  far-away  India  were  in 
great  need  and  calling  for  aid,  and  they  had  no  responsibility  in  this 
crisis.  Why  should  they  not  be  as  helpful  as  were  their  predecessors  and 
former  coadjutors? 


:24  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

"  Faith,  mighty  faith,  a  promise  read. 
And  lool<ed  to  that  alone. 
Laughed  at  impossibihties. 

And  cried,  '  It  must  be  done.'  " 

Denominational  leaders  and  pastors  heartily  indorsed  the  idea,  conspicu- 
ous among  whom  were  Drs.  George  T.  Day,  Benjamin  F.  Hayes,  Charles 
F.  Penney,  Ebenezer  Knowlton,  George  H.  Ball,  Oren  B.  Cheney,  and 
John  FuUonton.  The  officers  of  the  foreign  mission  board  were  respect- 
fully consulted  and  without  exception  gave  their  especial  approval  of  the 
movement.  As  a  sample  of  cautioning  consideration  Dr.  George  T.  Day, 
then  editor  of  the  Morning  Sfar,  wrote,  "  I  want  to  express  my  hearty 
appreciation  of  the  movement  to  enlist  our  sisters  in  active  mission  work. 
God  give  you  wisdon  and  blessing  at  every  step.  Of  course  you  will  take 
care  to  indicate  clearly  the  fact  that  you  are  helpers  to  the  present 
executive  board,  not  a  substitute  for  it  nor  an  organized  critic  of  it ;  that 
the  increased  significance  of  women's  aid  in  the  zenanas  is  ample  reason 
for  this  new  departure,  and  that  it  is  not  meant  to  disparage  home  mis- 
sion's but  indirectly  to  increase  their  efficiency.  It  is  well  to  deal  with 
sensitiveness  and  tendencies  to  jealousy  by  giving  the  ounce  of  preven- 
tion."    There  were  a  very  few  instances  of  manifest  disapproval. 

Dr.  Charles  F.  Penney,  Augusta,  Me.,  sent  these  words  of  cheer.  May 
lo,  1873,  "Your  plan,  it  seems  to  me,  has  in  it  the  prophecy  of  a  rich 
blessing  to  our  churches."  Dr.  George  H.  Ball,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  wrote, 
"  Your  plan  for  a  woman's  society  is  good  and  we  will  do  all  in  our  power 
to  promote  it." 

It  was  a  singular  coincidence  that  the  week  in  which  three  letters 
were  written  by  the  missionaries  in  India  urging  the  formation  of  a 
woman's  society  was  the  very  week  in  which  were  taken  the  initial  steps 
of  the  movement  in  America.  Prayers  for  direction  in  the  great  emer- 
gency had  been  answered  simultaneously  in  lands  widely  separated,  con- 
vincing the  most  skeptical  that  the  Master  himself  had  given  the  impulse 
and  suggested  the  plan. 

A  "  call  "  was  issued  in  the  Morning  Star,  June  4,  1873,  inviting  all 
ladies  interested  in  Free  Baptist  foreign  missions  to  meet  at  Sandwich, 
N.  H.,  in  connection  with  the  New  Hampshire  Yearly  Meeting,  to  take 
measures  for  the  organization  of  a  woman's  mission  society.  To  this  call 
were  appended  the  signatures  of  twenty-two  ladies  from  Maine  to  Michi- 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 


25 


gan.  The  convention  met  at  time  and  place  designated.  A  large  dele- 
gation was  present.  Mrs.  Sarah  P.  Bacheler,  Mrs.  Dorcas  Folsom  Smith, 
and  Mrs.  Mary  R.  Phillips  gave  thrilling  accounts  of  the  needs  that  had 
come  under  their  own  observation  in  India.  Local  auxiliaries  were  reported 
in  Lewiston  and  Auburn,  Me.,  Meredith  and  Ashland,  N.  H.,  Fabius,  X.  V.  • 
also  a  very  enthusiastic  woman's  meeting  in  connection  with  the  recent 
session  of  the  Rhode  Island  Association  at  North  Scituate.     After  careful 

interchange  of  thought  and 
much  prayer  a  constitution 
was  adopted,  and  with  the 
watchword,  "  Enlisted  for 
Life,"  the  "  Free  Baptist 
Woman's  Missionary  Soci- 
ety "  took  its  place,  June 
12,  1873,  as  a  factor  in  the 
redemption  of  the  world. 

Mrs.  Kmeline  S.  P)ur- 
lingame  was  elected  the 
first  president.  Miss  L.  A. 
DeMeritte  was  the  first 
treasurer,  which  position 
she  has  filled  with  ever-in- 
creasing honor  for  twenty- 
seven  years,  llie  marked 
innovation  of  a  woman  as 
presiding  ofticer  of  a  public 
convention  of  Free  Baptists 
caused  some  trepidation  of 
heart.  Mrs  Burlingame 
recalls  the  sudden  tremor 
which  seized  her  as  she  found  herself  upon  the  platform  beside  the  pulpit, 
behind  which  she  dared  not  retreat,  with  her  annual  address  in  hand, 
which  she  was  expected  to  deliver  unaided.  Just  in  front  were  seated 
several  leading  clergymen  who  had  been  accustomed  to  preside  over 
the  meetings  of  the  women  in  previous  years  and  read  the  records 
and  addresses.  Prominent  among  them  was  Rev.  Kbenezcr  Knowlton, 
meml)er  of  Congress  from   Maine.     The   president,  witli  much  fortifying 


Mrs.   Emeline  Burlingame  Cheney, 
Fii>l   President. 


26 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 


of  her  will,  completed  her 
task.  Immediately  after 
the  close  of  the  service 
Mr.  Knowlton  grasped 
her  hand  and  in  the  most 
kind  and  brotherly  man- 
ner offered  his  congratu- 
lations, saying  that  the 
brethren  would  now  have 
to  look  after  their  laurels 
or  the  sisters  would  win 
them.  Mrs.  Burlingame 
resigned  her  position  as 
president  when  elected 
editor  of  the  Missionary 
Helper  in  1886.  Mrs. 
Mary  A.  Davis  was  chosen 
her  successor. 

This  organization  was 
based  upon  an  all-embrac- 
ing love  that  made  the 
needy  of  every  land  mem- 
bers of  the  household  for  which  our  Saviour  died,  and  so  our  brothers 
and  sisters.  It  was  designed  to  promote  an  educated  benevolence,  to 
arouse  the  young  and  to  develop  an  intelligent  and  permanent  helpful- 
ness of  women  for  women  and  children.  In  no  respect  was  it  infringing 
upon  any  other  benevolent  work  of  the  denomination.  Recognizing  the 
fact,  which  the  physical  world  is  constantly  teaching,  that  great  forces  are 
but  the  aggregate  of  atomic  forces,  this  society  placed  great  value  upon 
little  things  and  small  efforts.  The  plan  was  simple — a  local  auxiliary 
in  each  church,  quarterly  meeting,  yearly  meeting  or  association,  all 
auxiliary  to  the  national  society,  with  a  regular  system  for  reporting, 
which  should  enable  the  corresponding  secretary  to  know  constantly  the 
status  of  the  work  in  each  section. 

There  were  four  emphatic  conditions  :  ( i )  It  should  be  a  home  and 
foreign  society.  (2)  It  should  co-operate  with  the  Free  Baptist  home 
and  foreign  mission  societies.  (3)  It  should  have  an  independent 
treasury.      (4)   It  should  incur  no  debt. 


Laura  A.  DeMeritte, 
First  and  only  Treasurer. 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  2y 

The  ])avnient  of  two  cents  per  week  constituted  annual  membership  ; 
twentv  dollars,  life  membership;  one  hundred  dollars,  within  four  years, 
honorary  manager  for  life.  Marilla  Marks  Hutchins  Hills,  always  first 
and  foremost  in  missionary  enterprises,  headed  the  list  of  contributions 
with  one  hundred  dollars,  and  also  paid  for  the  first  five  life-memberships. 
The  first  church  to  contribute  was  the  Main  St.  of  Lewiston,  Me.  The 
first  auxiliary  was  organized  at  Haverhill,  Mass.  The  first  children's  band 
was  at  New  Hampton,  N.  H.  Wisconsin  was  the  first  Western  state  to 
send  money  to  the  treasury.  The  first  annual  meeting  was  holden  in 
October,  1873,  at  which  time  the  treasurer  reported  $538.40  received 
since  the  preliminary  meeting  in  June. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  at  that  session  showing  the  deep  interest 
of  Dr.  James  Liddell  Phillips  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  R.  Phillips,  in  this 
movement :  "  Resolved,  That  we  heartily  welcome  to  our  shores  once  more 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips,  and  earnestly  pray  that  their  coming  may  kindle 
afresh  the  missionary  spirit  in  all  our  churches,  realizing  that  this  society 
is  in  a  measure  the  result  of  their  tears  and  prayers." 

In  the  autumn  of  1874  Miss  Susan  R.  I,ibby  of  New  Hampshire  went 
to  India  as  the  first  foreign  missionary  of  the  Woman's  Society.  She  was 
a  woman  of  strong  personality  and  rare  Christian  devotion.  After 
two  years  of  service  she  was  won  from  her  position  by  a  government 
official,  whose  home  she  graced  for  the  two  succeeding  years,  then  passed 
from  that  land  of  spiritual  darkness  to  the  world  of  endless  light. 

'i'he  first  appropriation  for  foreign  work  was  matle  in  1875.  Leaflets 
by  Mary  R.  Phillips  and  Miss  Julia  Phillips  were  issued  the  same  year. 
In  1876,  entrance  to  zenanas  having  been  secured.  Miss  Emily  Hallam, 
daughter  of  Rev.  K.  C.  P>.  Hallam  of  the  parent  society,  was  appointed 
zenana  teacher  and  served  one  year. 

Miss  Mary  Washington  P>acheler,  youngest  child  of  Dr.  Otis  and  Mrs. 
Sarah  P.  Bacheler,  went  with  her  parents  to  India  in  1865.  She  soon 
familiarized  herself  with  the  native  language,  and  thus  laid  the  foundation 
for  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  common  colloquial ;  a  most  important 
accomplishment.  She  often  went  with  her  father  on  his  visits  to  the  sick. 
One  evening  he  went  to  see  a  Mussulman  of  high  rank.  While  in  the 
house  a  crowd  gathered  around  Mary,  who  was  left  in  the  carriage.  A 
member  of  the  household  invited  her  to  enter  and  see  the  ladies.  She 
went  without  fear,  and  when  leaving  was  begged  to  come  again.      She 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  CMissi&narv  Society. 


asked  if  her  moth- 
er might  come 
with  her,  and  was 
answered  "  Yes." 
This  was  the  first 
Mussuhiian  zena- 
na opened  in  Ben- 
gal. The  rank  and 
influence  of  the 
family  were  the 
means  of  opening 
others.  After  a 
lapse  of  twenty- 
eight  years  "  Dr. 
Mary  "  is  the  at- 
tending physician 
of  that  family  of 
the  third  genera- 
tion. She  came  to 
America  with  her 
parents  in  1871 
and  returned  in 
1873.  Her  fa- 
ther's   dispensary 


Mary  Washington  Bacheler,  M,  D. 


was  a  favorite  resort,  where  she  made  herself  useful  in  attending  patients 
and  acquainted  with  prevailing  diseases  and  their  proper  treatment. 
This  with  study  and  visiting  zenanas  occupied  her  time  until,  when 
seventeen  years  old,  she  was  elected  zenana  teacher.  After  ten  years 
of  life  in  India  she  again  came  to  America  with  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Bach- 
eler, taking  then  the  long-coveted  opportunity  for  procuring  a  medical 
education.  She  graduated  from  the  ^Voman's  Medical  college,  New  York, 
1890,  A  few  months  later  she  returned  to  India,  where  she  was  asso- 
ciated with  her  father  in  medical  work,  until  he  left  to  her,  in  1892,  the 
inheritance  of  his  practice  and  the  dispensary,  where  more  than  three 
thousand  patients  are  treated  annually.  The  exceptional  skill  of  "  Dr. 
Mary  "  as  a  practitioner  has  proved  that  she  made  no  mistake  in  taking 
the  training  for  her  specific  department. 


Free  Baptist  IVoinaii's  Missionary  Society.  29 

Feb.  2,  1876,  it  was  "voted  to  loan  all  money  in  the  treasury  and  all 
that  may  accrue  during  the  next  three  months,  without  interest,  on  de- 
mand, to  the  Foreign  Mission  Society,  to  help  them  in  their  work."  Sarah 
P.  Bacheler  was  also  paid  one  hundred  dollars,  Dorcas  Folsom  Smith  two 
hundred  dollars,  and  Lavina  Crawford  fifty  dollars,  for  the  support  of 
native  teachers.  All  tliese  ladies  were  missionaries  of  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society. 

November,  1877,  Julia  Phillips  was  granted  leave  of  absence  by  the 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  to  travel  for  the  Woman's  Society.  She  visited 
twenty-nine  churches  in  Maine,  eleven  in  New  Hampshire,  six  in  Massa- 
chusetts, seven  in  Rhode  Island,  organized  nineteen  auxiliaries  and 
twenty- four  children's  bands.  The  invaluable  results  of  this  service  were 
at  the  expense  physically  of  this  self-sacrificing  woman.  So  long  con- 
tinued were  her  arduous  labors,  combined  with  exposure  to  the  rigors  of  a 
New  England  climate  immediately  succeeding  years  of  service  in  the 
tropics,  that  she  returned  to  India  to  suffer  from  a  long-continued  debili- 
tating illness.  She  recovered  only  after  taking  a  protracted  sea-vovage. 
The  society  learned  the  lesson  to  put  a  check  upon  the  too  ardent  desires 
of  its  workers,  and  say  to  them,  "Thus  far  shalt  thou  go  and  no  farther." 
Unfortunately  some  of  them  have  since  proved  unmanageable,  in  their 
zeal  for  exceeding  the  wishes  of  the  board  of  managers. 

At  this  time  the  parent  board  desired  the  society  to  so  change  its 
constitution  that  they  should  appoint,  fix  salary,  and  locate  all  missionaries 
in  the  field,  one  woman  to  be  a  representative  upon  their  board  and  India 
committee.  Vor  various  reasons  the  request  was  granted  only  with  refer- 
ence to  location.  The  society  offered  to  take  of  the  parent  board  such 
work  for  women  as  might  be  assigned  them,  to  the  amount  of  Si 000,  pro- 
vided the  parent  board  would  send  to  India  a  part  or  all  of  its  mission- 
aries then  in  this  country  and  would  use  its  best  energies  to  lift  its  debt 
before  assuming  new  responsibilities. 

In  1S80,  recognizing  the  value  of  concentrated  effort,  the  society  be- 
came affiliated  with  the  international  union  of  prayer,  composed  of  parties 
interested,  in  missions  who  were  willing  to  pray  statedly  for  their  success. 
Miss  French,  then  missionary-elect  of  the  parent  board,  received  pledges 
and  urged  the  necessity  and  advantages  of  the  movement.  In  1881  each 
auxiliary  was  asked  to  contribute  five  cents  per  member,  the  same  to  be 
used  for  an  incidental  fimd  to  defray  postal,  printing,  and  traveling  ex- 
penses. The  amount  contributed  has  varied  from  year  to  year,  but  has 
helped  to  reduce  running  expenses  to  a  minimum  rate. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

ITT'.  South  and  Its  Claims.     Storer   College. 

HE  close  of  the  Civil  War,  in  giving 
access  to  a  race  hitherto  enslaved, 
placed  a  burden  of  responsibility  up- 
on Christians  to  aid  those  just  released  from 
bondage.  The  Shenandoah  valley,  that  "  beau- 
tiful valley  of  Virginia,''  was  assigned  to  Free 
liaptists.  Harper's  Ferry  was  selected  as  the 
central  station.  In  1865  Rev.  Nathan  Cook 
Brackett,  just  returned  from  eighteen   months 

Robert  Cristy.  .  ■        .u       r^u    ■  <-■  r^ 

of  service  ni  the  Christian  Commission,  was 
appointed  by  General  Conference  to  take  charge  of  its  interests  through- 
out the  valley. 

The  denomination  had  always  been  intensely  antislavery ;  conse- 
quently as  soon  as  emancipation  took  place  its  sympathies  were  at  once 
actively  enlisted  in  behalfof  these  Southern  brethren  and  sisters.  Finding 
that  women  were  much  more  likely  to  be  unmolested,  to  them  were  as- 
signed schools  and  evangelistic  work,  with  Mr.  Brackett  as  superintendent, 
and  Rev.  Alexander  Hatch  Morrell,  whose  fervor  and  hopefulness  knew 
no  bounds,  as  field  missionary. 

In  lune,  1867,  Anne  S.  Dudley,  who  had  gone  two  years  before  to 
Charlestown,  Va.,  as  teacher,  under  escort  of  an  officer  and  guard,  and 
whose  thrilling  experiences  would  fill  a  volume,  gives  the  following  account 
of  the  organization  of  the  first  Free  Baptist  churches  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley  : 

"  I  was  teaching  in  an  old  log-barn,  with  a  row  of  shelves  around  the 
walls  for  writing,  benches  without  backs,  boards  for  extra  seats,  as  long  as 
there  was  room.  Day  and  evening  schools  and  meetings  were  in  constant 
session,  with  the  single  exception  of  one  night  in  a  month.  The  room 
was  crowded  always  to  its  utmost  capacity.  During  that  year  at  Martins- 
burg  one  hundred  had  been  converted  in  the  school  meetings.  I  pleaded 
for  a  church  organization  and  chapel.  The  home  mission  board  thought 
we  could  not  keep  our  churches  alive  in  the  South  ;  besides,  there  was  no 
building  fund.  It  was  burned  into  my  soul  that  we  must  have  mission 
churches — decent  places  for  worship — if  we  hoped  to  gain  any  permanent 
uplift  in  morals  and  citizenship  among  colored  people. 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  31 

"Jan.  2,  1867,  the  first  Free  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  the 
Shenandoah  valley  at  Martinsburg.  One  never-to-be-forgotten  morning 
a  few  months  later  the  Lord  said  to  me,  '  Arise  and  build.'  I  took  the 
message  joyfully  and  told  the  people  I  was  sure  if  we  did  our  best  the 
Lord  would  supply  all  needed  help.  The  colored  people  were  living  in 
log-cabins,  cellar-kitchens,  poor,  with  small  wages.  Looking  on  the 
human  side  it  seemed  certainly  impossible  to  accomplish  such  a  task,  as 
all  building  material  was  at  that  time  very  expensive.  On  the  heaven- 
ward side  all  was  bright  as  the  noonday  sun.  I  told  the  i)eople  to  bring 
ten  cents  of  every  dollar  they  earned.  \i  Christmas  we  had  S60.  We 
worked  faithfully  as  the  months  went  by,  and  Jan.  20,  1868,  the  corner- 
stone was  laid.  .V  nice  stone  basement  was  completed,  which  with  the 
lot  cost  $1000.  The  upper  part  was  to  be  of  brick  and  would  cost  $1500. 
We  had  not  one  dollar  with  which  to  commence  the  building.  As  no  one 
else  was  willing  to  take  the  responsibility  I  signed  the  contract,  just  as 
sure  the  funds  would  come  when  needed  as  though  every  dollar  had  been 
in  a  national  bank.     I  never  failed  to  make  a  payment  when  due. 

"  Then  the  Lord  said,  '  lUiild  a  church  at  Charlestown.'  I  did  not 
want  to,  but  was  obliged  to  do  it.  Mr.  Drackett  said,  '  If  you  get  in  a 
hard  place  I  cannot  help  you,  but  I  will  not  hinder  if  you  have  faith  to 
go  on.'  The  Charlestown  church  might  well  be  called  Faith  chapel,  for 
every  board  that  went  into  it  came  in  answer  to  prayer.  'I'he  house  was 
completed.  Every  bill  was  paid  when  due.  Shepherdstown  church  was 
built  in  the  same  way,  after  holding  meetings  in  a  grove,  in  a  dooryard, 
under  trees,  by  the  side  of  an  old,  tumble-down  house."' 

In  October,  1867,  a  noble  work  was  commenced  at  Harper's  Ferry 
for  the  South.  Notwithstanding  violent  opposition,  in  1868,  Storer 
College  charter  was  granted  by  the  state  of  West  Virginia,  through  the 
influence  of  Judge  Hoke,  a  prominent  man  in  war  times  and  a  friend  of 
education.  So  intensified  was  the  hatred  of  the  people  of  the  community 
by  this  act  that  one  teacher  wrote,  "  It  is  unusual  for  me  to  go  to  the 
post-office  without  being  hooted  at,  and  twice  I  have  been  stoned  on  the 
street  at  midday."  Efforts  were  made  to  wrest  the  government  property 
from  the  college.  It  was  not  safe  to  go  abroad,  and  long  after  all  danger 
had  passed  teachers  were  looked  upon  as  outcasts.  Many  of  these  preju- 
dices were  honest  and  were  a  part  of  the  education  of  the  people.     It 


i2 


Free  Baptist   Woman's  Missionary  Society 


was  a  slow  process  to  convince  them  that  the  purpose  of  the  North  was 
just  as  honest  as  their  own,  and  farther  reaching,  but  at  present  many  of 
the  former  opposers  are  the  most  devoted  friends  of  the  institution. 

Storer  college  has  a  site,  donated  by  Congress,  not  often  equaled  for 
healthfulness  and  beauty.  It  was  for  several  years  the  only  institution  of 
learning  open  to  colored  students  between  Washington  and  the  Ohio 
river.  -  It  received  its  name  from  John  Storer  of  Maine,  who  gave  to  it 
the  first  $10,000.  Not- 
withstanding liberal  gifts 
and  the  strenuous  efforts 
of  the  home  missionary 
society  to  meet  every 
emergency,  the  fact  was 
apparent  that  there  were 
no  adequate  accommo- 
dations for  the  girls,  who 
were  just  as  eager  as  boys 
to  avail  themselves  of  the 
opportunities  now  offered 
them  for  the  first  time. 

In  1 874  the  Woman's 
Missionary  Society  voted, 
"  That,  so  far  as  practi- 
cable, we  will  endeavor 
to  enlist  our  sisters  in  aid- 
ing the  freedraen  as  well 
as  the  heathen,  and  that 
it  be  left  with  the  man- 
agers through  what  chan-  Mrs.  Lura  Brackett  Lightner. 

nel  such  aid  shall  be  sent."  An  appropriation  was  made  for  this  purpose 
in  1875,  ^i^d  Miss  Lura  Brackett  was  sent  as  lady  principal  of  the  college. 
For  twenty-five  years  she  has  been,  by  her  judicious  and  kind  administra- 
tion, her  executive  ability  and  high  standards  placed  before  her  pupils,  an 
example  and  incentive  to  their  best  efforts.  She  married,  in  1884,  Scott 
W.  Lightner,  Esq.,  a  prominent  business  man  of  Harper's  Ferry. 

Gerrit  Smith,  the    noted    abolitionist    and    humanitarian,  a  man  of 
wealth  and  unbounded  benevolence — lohn  Brown's  most  trusted  friend 


Free  Baptist  JVoman's  Missiomvy  Society.  ^^ 

for  years— had  given  generously  for  the  institution,  not  onlv  from  his 
interest  in  the  colored  people  but  also  because  it  was  located  at  the  place 
where  his  beloved  friend  gave  his  life  for  them.  His  last  gift  was  for  a 
girls'  boarding  hall,  and  the  foundation  was  laid  before  his  death.  Anne 
Dudley  had  solicited  several  thousand  dollars  for  the  same  purpose,  but 
another  thousand  must  be  in  hand  before  the  work  could  advance. 

Professor  Brackett  wrote,  "  We  are  almost  discouraged.  There  is  no 
place  for  the  girls  who  come  to  us.  We  will  not  run  in  debt  and  we  seem 
to  be  at  the  end  of  our  resources.     \\'hat  shall  we  do?  " 

A  member  of  the  society  gives  the  answer  to  this  appeal  :  "  Why  I 
was  personally  oppressed  by  the  knowledge  of  the  situation  I  cannot  tell, 
nor  how  it  happened  that  as  I  stood  by  my  husband's  desk  in  the  Star 
office  I  noticed  a  crumpled,  twisted  wisp  of  paper  by  the  waste-basket, 
which  being  unrolled  proved  to  be  a  ten-dollar  greenback.     I  thought  the 
Lord's    neetis    and    opportunities    go    together,    and    that    there    were  a 
hundred  more  ten-dollar  bills  lying  idly  around  that  no  one  would  miss, 
and  that  it  was  our  business  to  see  that  they  went  into  the  girls'  boarding 
hall.     Diligent  advertising  failed  to  find  an  owner  for  the  bill,  and   the 
mystery  where  it  came  from  has  never  been  cleared.     The   l->ee  Baptist 
Woman^s  Missionary  Society  was  about  f^ve  years  old.     It  seemed  proper 
it  should  champion  this  undertaking  for  its  colored  sisters  of  the  South. 
Haifa  dozen  interested  ladies  were  invited  to  meet  in  the  office  of  the 
secretary  of  the  foreign  mission  board.  Rev.  Charles  O.  Libby,   Dover, 
N.  H.     There  have  been  iew  half-hours  in  my  life  as  serious  as  while  I 
awaited  them.     The  burden  of  the  need  seemed  crushing  me.     When  the 
ladies  came   1  read    Mr.  Brackett's  letters.       We  knelt  in  prayer.      We 
arose  from  our  knees  ready  for  the  next  step,  for  to  pray  was  to  work. 
Mrs.  Hills  said,  '  There  is  no  time  to  get  the  consent  of  the  board,  but  it 
will  consent.     Vou  go  home  and  write  them  to  indorse  the  plan  for  the 
women  to  raise  a  thousand  dollars  at  once,  and  I  will  prepare  an  article 
for  the  S/ar  telling  the  denomination  what  we  must  do,  and  we  will  stop 
the    press  and  print  it  in  this  issue.'       We  found  paper  and  pen,  and, 
though  the  answer  of  the  board  could  not  reach  us  before  the  article  was 
published,  yet  every  woman  expressed  later  her  approval  of  our  plan,  and 
our  Woman's  Missionary  Society  was  committed  to  work  for  women  the 
world  around.     In  five  weeks  from  the  time  of  the  first  prayer  meeting  in 
the  mission  room  at  Dover  I  was  on  my  way  to   Harper's  Ferry.     The 


J4  F>'^^  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

gentleman  who  was  to  give  the  oration  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone 
of  the  new  building  was  at  my  side.  The  program  of  the  exercises  was  in 
my  satchel." 

On  that  day  there  was  in  the  treasury  of  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Society,  as  a  result  of  that  especial  appeal,  $1264.  The  very  first  issue 
of  the  Missionary  Helper,  seemingly  sent  to  herald  the  glad  tidings,  says, 
"  On  Memorial  day,  while  loving  friends  and  comrades  were  paying  their 
yearly  tribute  to  the  memory  of  our  brave  soldiers,  the  corner-stone  of  a 
building  was  laid  which  will  be  the  home  of  the  race  they  died  to  save 
from  physical  bondage."  Elager  responses  came  from  Sunday  schools 
and  individuals,  until  the  work  was  completed  and  the  rooms  for  the  girls 
were  made  comfortable  and  attractive.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  May 
30,  1878,  in  the  name  of  the  "  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Soci- 
ety." The  building  was  dedicated  May  30,  1879,  Mi"S-  Susan  Prescott 
Porter  and  Mrs.  Emeline  Burlingame  representing  the  society  upon  that 
occasion.  A  commodious  reception  room  was  finished  and  furnished,  also 
a  study,  in  which  through  the  influence  of  one  woman,  Mrs.  Clara  Evans 
Dexter,  was  placed  an  excellent  library,  bearing  her  name.  This  library, 
in  its  fine  walnut  case,  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  ornaments  of  Myrtle 
Hall. 

While  still  engaged  in  making  this  a  suitable  residence  for  its  occu- 
pants steps  were  taken  to  remodel  or  erect  a  new  school  building.  With 
increased  enthusiasm  and  faith  the  society  pledged  to  combine  its  efforts 
with  those  of  Deacon  Lewis  Williams  Anthony  of  Rhode  Island,  who 
made  a  memorial  offering  of  $5000  for  the  purpose.  To-day  Anthony 
and  Myrtle  Halls  crown  Camp  Hill,  Harper's  Ferry — lasting  monuments 
not  only  of  individual  benevolence  and  of  the  early  struggles  and  helpful- 
ness of  a  wom.an's  missionary  society,  but  also  of  a  heart  quick  to 
conceive  and  a  brain  active  to  formulate  plans  for  the  uplift  of  her  sex. 
To  Frances  Stewart  Mosher,  then  editor  of  the  Myrtle,  belongs  the  honor 
of  being  the  chief  inspiration  of  this  achievement.  Rev.  Mr.  Morrell  sent 
the  following  message  :  "  You  will  be  thankful  to  know  that  the  funds 
contributed  have  proved  a  very  great  blessing  to  the  students,  and  yet 
you  cannot  understand  how  great  unless  you  could  be  here  and  see  the 
practical  operation.  I  bless  God  to-day  for  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Society.  If  you  never  do  any  better  than  you  have  done  for  this  branch 
of  your  excellent  work  it  will  pay  for  all  your  toil  and  endeavor.     We  did 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  ^5 

need  the  money  you  appropriated  so  much  that  I  have  looked  upon  it  as 
a  special  interposition  of  Providence  that  you  were  inclined  to  bestow 
it."  Professor  Prackett  wrote,  "  We  wonder  what  would  ha\e  been  the 
fate  of  Harper's  Ferry  work  but  for  the  aid  and  inspiration  given  by  the 
Woman's  Missionary  Society.  Whatever  of  good  has  been  accomplished 
at  Storer  college,  a  large  share  of  it  belongs  to  the  credit  of  that  organiza- 
tion." 

Mrs.  Louise  Wood  Brackett  was  employed  in  the  classical  depart- 
ment from  1880  to  1884,  when  foiling  health  obliged  her  to  relinquish  her 
position.  The  services  of  Miss  Coralie  l<"ranklin,  a  Storer  graduate  of 
1880,  were  secured  from  1880  to  1883  and  from  1889  to  1893,  when  her 
co-workers  parted  from  her  with  great  reluctance,  although  rejoicing  that 
the  more  influential  government  position  she  was  called  to  occupy 
afforded  a  wider  sphere  of  usefulness  and  influence.  As  the  wife  of  Pro- 
fessor George  Cook  of  Howard  University,  Washington,  D.  C,  she  graces 
and  honors  his  home,  while  her  loving  interest  in  her  a/ma  mater  has  in 
no  degree  diminished.  Mrs.  Marilla  Marks  Brewster,  representative  of 
the  society  in  the  World's  Conference  of  Missions  in  London  in  1S88, 
having  been  appointed  lecturer  and  organizer,  while  at  the  South  in  1877 
and  1878,  served  the  college  in  various  ways  without  remuneration. 

Through  the  timely  bequest  of  Robert  Cristy,  l*;sq.,  in  1892,  enlarged 
plans  were  adopted  for  the  college.  Miss  ALiry  Brackett  succeeded  Miss 
Franklin  and  continued  until  1897.  Miss  Ella  Victoria  Smith,  class  of 
1 89 1,  has  been  employed  as  teacher  since  1893.  Miss  >Lary  Virginia 
Brown,  a  Storer  graduate,  class  of  1894,  was  elected  matron  of  Myrtle 
Hall  in  1898.  Miss  E.  Claire  Sands  of  Hillsdale  college,  class  of  1897, 
and  Miss  Stella  Lames,  graduate  of  Storer,  also  of  Bates  college,  class  of 
1897,  are  employed  in  both  English  and  classical  departments. 

Very  {t\s  avenues  were  opened  for  pupils  after  leaving  school.  Race 
prejudices  and  lack  of  enterprise  in  manufactures  were  almost  insurmount- 
able barriers  to  any  labor  except  domestic  service  and  teaching.  It  was 
a  piteous  appeal  to  Northern  eyes  and  hearts  to  see  strong,  wide-awake, 
well-educated,  young  colored  men  and  women  teaching  half  a  dozen  little 
children  in  a  shabby,  dilapidated,  old  log-cabin,  while  a  few  rods  distant 
w  IS  a  fine  schoolhouse  for  white  children,  fitted  with  all  modern  appli- 
ances to  render  school-life  attractive  and  sadsfactory  to  teachers  and 
pupils.     It  was  evident  that  manual  training  as  well  as  book  knowledge 


^6  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

must  be  taught  in  the  college.  Industries  had  already  received  some 
attention,  and  Mrs.  Brackett  had  given  the  girls  some  instruction  in  sew- 
ing. In  1S90  a  regularly  organized  sewing-school  was  opened,  with  Mrs. 
Kate  Boothby  instructor.  Three  years  later  Mrs.  Boothby  went  to  the 
better  Home,  after  having  developed  remarkable  interest  and  proficiency 
among  those  under  her  charge  and  leaving  an  impression  upon  their 
hearts  that  will  never  be  effaced.  A  cooking  class,  with  Miss  Marian  Vail 
at  its  head  during  the  year  1892,  proved  very  successful,  until.  Miss  Vail 
electing  to  cook  for  only  the  favored  "  one,"  it  was  decided  to  unite  the 
cooking  and  sewing  classes  into  a  department  of  doiiiestic  science,  Miss 
M.  Jennie  Baker  taking  charge  of  the  same  in  1893. 

A  diploma  is  granted  those  who  complete  the  three  years'  course  of 
instruction  in  this  department.  A  demonstration  kitchen  and  girls'  club- 
room  give  ample  opportunity  for  Miss  Baker  to  show  her  deep  interest, 
toned  as  it  is  with  a  vital  missionary  spirit,  in  her  work,  and  to  make  of  it 
a  strong  element  for  developing  in  the  girls  ability  to  secure  an  independ- 
ent livelihood,  self-reliance,  and  a  vigorous  womanhood. 

By  the  recent  generosity  of  a  friend  of  the  institution — Mrs.  I.  D. 
Stewart — new  and  desirable  furnishment  has  been  procured  for  the  super- 
intendent's room  in  Myrtle  Hall. 


CHAl'TKR    \'. 
Thk  "  Missionary  Hki.per."     How   ihk  Chii.drex  Hki.pkd. 
V  request  of  Dr.  James  L.  Phillip.-;,  1876,  a  committee  of  five  was 

D\  appointed  to  confer  with  a  similar  number  from  the  home  and 
J  foreign  mission  and  educational  societies  with  reference  to  pub- 
lishing a  denominational  periodical.  No  practical  results  followed.  The 
Morning  Star  was  the  avenue  through  which  the  methods  of  this  Society 
were  made  public  for  four  years,  but  as  the  pages  of  the  Star  were 
crowded  with  other  material,  and  many  Free  Baptists  did  not  take  the 
paper  and  so  were  ignorant  of  its  contents,  it  was  thought  a  magazine 
might  be  published  upon  such  a  basis  that  it  could  easily  gain  access  to 
the  homes  of  women. 

Julia  P.  Phillips,  then  on  furlough,  zealously  urged  the  necessity  of 
better  means  for  communication  between  the  home  and  foreign  workers 
— some  plan  by  which  heart  might  touch  heart,  and  where  ample  and 
friendly  scope  might  be  given  to  all  matters  that  might  come  especially 
within  the  province  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  A  committee 
of  five  was  appointed  to  whom  was  referred  the  whole  matter.  Miss 
Phillips  was  chairman  of  the  committee,  and  was  so  enthusiastic  in  the 
canvass  which  was  instituted  that  she  is  sometimes  called  "  the  mother  of 
the  Missionary  Hclperr  The  committee  reported  :  "  If  fi\-e  hundred 
subscribers  can  be  secured,  and  fifty  persons  found  who  will  pledge  them- 
selves to  pay  two  dollars  a  year  for  five  years  in  case  funds  are  needed  for 
issuing  such  a  periodical,  we  advise  miking  the  venture."  The  plan  was 
adopted.  The  comm.ittee  worked  with  energy.  Most  letters  brought 
words  of  encouragement.  One  brother,  however,  kind  but  of  weak  faith, 
wrote  that  he  would  give  the  magazine  just  five  years  in  which  to  end  its 
life.  Before  the  board  meeting,  a  few  months  later,  names  of  six  hundred 
subscribers  and  forty-eight  pledges  were  upon  the  books  of  the  committee. 
Among  the  names  suggested  for  the  new  periodical  were  "  Missionary 
Echo  "  and  "  Missionary  Helper."  In  1877  a  committee  was  constituted 
to  have,  charge  of  the  publication,  and  in  January,  1878,  was  issued  the 
first  number  of  the  bi-monthly  Missionary  Helper. 

For  nine  years  its  first  editor  and  publishing  agent,  Marilla  Marks 
Brewster,  fostered  this  child  of  her  heart  with  untold  solicitude.  These 
pathetic  words  appear  in  her  first  editorial ;   "  The  way  before  me  is  all 


3S 


Free  Baptist  JVoman's  Missionary  Society 


untrodden.  I  stagger  be- 
neath the  load  I  have  taken, 
but  He  who  gives  the  bur- 
den will  also  give  the  strength 
to  bear  it.  My  faith  grasps 
the  promise  as  never  before, 
"  Lo  1  am  with  you  alway.' 
Will  you  not  so  give  aid  that 
nurtured  by  your  prayers 
and  sympathies  it  may  be- 
come a  real  power  in  the 
work  to  which  God  has 
called  the  women  of  this  de- 
nomination? "  Doubts  van- 
ished as  the  list  of  subscrib- 
ers constantly  increased. 
The  pledges  were  never 
called  for,  the  magazine 
more  than  fulfilling  the  ex- 
pectations of  its  most  san- 
guine supporters.  It  was 
changed  in  1883  to  a  monthly,  enlarged  and  much  improved.  Homes 
have  been  visited  by  this  silent  messenger  where  not  a  word  of  missionary 
intelligence  was  read  before.  This  increase  of  intelligence  has  brought 
highly  satisfactory  results. 

In  1 88 1  Mrs.  Marilla  Marks  Hutchins  Hills  commenced  "Remi- 
niscences of  the  Free  Baptist  Mission  in  India,"  as  a  serial  for  the  Helper. 
These  were  continued  for  several  years,  and  were  of  so  great  value  that 
they  were  printed  in  book  form  by  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society  in 

1885.  This  book  is  a  rare  history  of  the  labors  of  pioneer  India  mission- 
aries. The  copyright  of  the  publication  was  reserved  by  the  author  until 
1895,  when  she  presented  it  to  the  society. 

Mrs.  Brewster,  with  a  view  of  going  abroad,  resigned  her  position  in 

1886.  As  the  work  had  increased  so  as  to  become  too  laborious  for  one 
person,  Mrs.  Emeline  Burlingame  was  appointed  Mrs.  Brewster's  editorial 
successor,  which  position  she  occupied  for  eight  years,  and  Mrs.  Ella  H. 
Andrews  was  elected  publishing  agent,  in  which  official  capacity  she  is 
still  serving  the  society. 


Mrs.  Marilla  Marks  Brewster. 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 


39 


Since  1895  Mrs.  Nellie  Wade  Whitcomb  has  graced  the  editorial 
chair.  The  comparatively  recent  introduction  of  "  Helps  for  Monthly 
Meetings  "  and  the  "  Reading  Course  "  mark  the  progress  of  the  maga- 
zine.    There  are  questions  to  be  answered  from  some  previous  article, 

prepared  for  that  purpose  in  each 
number,  and  a  program  with  sug- 
gestions to  be  modified  by  time 
/'^    ■  and  place.     P>ooks  for  the  read- 

ing course  have  been  selected 
with  much  care.  These  helps 
contain  the  latest,  best,  and  most 


Mrs.  Ella  H.  Andrews. 


interesting  intelligence  that  can 
be  gathered  with  reference  to 
the  current  history  of  the  coun- 
tries toward  which  the  eyes  of  the 
world  are  now  directed.  They 
are  arranged  for  the  purpose  of 
stimulating  missionary  study,  and 

the  results  have  been  very  gratifying  and  encouraging.  A  bureau  ot 
missionary  intelligence  and  exchange,  for  many  years  under  the  direction 
of  Miss  Kate  J.  Anthony  of  Rhode  Island,  supplies  costumes,  curios,  and 
leaflets  to  all  who  mav  desire  them. 


^o  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

Recognizing  that  the  best  workers  are  those  trained  from  early  years, 
plans  were  adopted  in  1877  to  interest  the  children  in  sending  a  mission- 
ary of  their  own  to  India.  A  page  of  the  Myrtle  was  devoted  to  the 
"  Try  Class,"  to  which  the  little  ones  sent  short  letters.  Mission  Bands 
were  formed  in  many  churches,  which  gave  valuable  aid  to  the  building 
and  furnishing  of  Myrtle  Hall,  Harper's  Ferry.  Where  there  were  no 
bands,  organizations  were  formed  in  the  Sunday  schools.  This  method 
was  especially  successful  in  the  West. 

The  first  children's  missionary,  Ida  Orissa  Phillips,  youngest  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Phillips,  sailed  for  India  the  same  year.  She  was 
remarkable  for  scholarship  and  devoted  piety.  Familiar  with  the  language 
from  her  youth,  she  spoke  it  like  a  native,  and  proved  of  unusual  ability. 
Ten  years  of  the  light  and  cheer  of  her  young  life  she  lavishly  gave  for 
the  beloved  land  of  her  birth.  Two  years  followed  of  what  promised  to 
be  a  vacation,  but  which  in  her  zeal  proved  a  period  of  incessant  toil, 
then  father  and  daughter  slept  side  by  side  in  the  peaceful  cemetery  at 
Hillsdale,  Mich. 

The  second  children's  missionary,  Emilie  Barnes,  arrived  in  Balasore, 
province  of  Bengal,  Jan.  13,  1894.  Ninety  shares  of  her  salary,  at  four 
dollars  a  share,  are  pledged  by  these  youthful  workers.  In  1895  the 
children  of  Rhode  Island  joined  with  the  Young  People's  Union  in  assum- 
ing the  support  of  the  new  kindergarten  department,  opened  in  1896,  to 
which  Mary  Sophia  Phillips,  eldest  daughter  of  Dr.  James  Liddell  Phil- 
lips, was  assigned.  Not  only  was  the  teacher  provided  with  suitable  sup- 
plies but  a  building  was  furnished,  now  known  as  "  Rhode  Island  Kinder- 
garten Hall."  A  large  proportion  of  the  older  children  are  now  in  junior 
societies,  mission  bands  being  formed  only  where  the  soil  does  not  seem 
adapted  to  the  growth  of  junior  organizations.  Eastern,  Western,  and 
Central  children's  secretaries  are  among  the  annual  officers  appointed  by 
the  national  society. 

In  1896  a  new  department  was  created,  "  Cradle-Roll  of  Little  Light- 
Bearers,"  in  which  are  gathered  the  precious  little  ones  from  the  youngest 
infant  to  those  five  years  of  age.  Not  only  do  they  consider  it  a  happy  thing 
to  be  numbered  in  this  "  Roll,"  but  many  mothers,  listening  to  the  stories 
related,  as  they  clasp  their  innocent,  protected  prattlers  to  their  hearts, 
are  moved  as  never  before  to  do  something  to  help  those  other  children 
and  other  mothers  who  have  been  so  long  and  so  cruelly  neglected. 


CHAI'IKR  \I. 
TiiK  Wi.vi  AND  lis  Oi'i'DRirxniKs.  Harkikt  Pkksion  Phillips. 
'HIM':  the  Ivist  is  the  birthphice  of  the  (K-nomination  and  the 
jjlace  where  gather  most  of  its  family  reunions  and  where  are 
established  a  majority  of  its  educational  institutions  and 
strongest  churches,  many  of  the  children  have  straved  from  home.  A 
desire  for  wealth,  love  of  adventure,  hope  to  gain  a  livelihood  with  more 
ease  than  from  the  rocky  soil  of  New  lOngland  have  letl  them  westward. 
I.oyal  Free  liaptists  seeking  homes  in  that  section  saw  wide-spread  op- 
portunities for  doing  good.  Nearly  every  race  upon  earth  had  its  repre- 
sentatives here,  some  of  whom  were  as  ignorant  and  degraded  as  any 
heathen.  The  \\'est,  like  the  cai)ital  of  our  nation,  is  a  region  of  "  mag- 
nificent distances,"  therefore  comparatively  few  could  spare  the  outlay  of 
time  and  money  for  frequent  council.  Nevertheless  these  foreigners 
were  within  Christian  intluence  and  these  uncultivated  wastes  should  be 
tilled. 

In  1878  came  the  appeal,  "Can  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society 
help  us?"  Action  had  already  been  taken  by  the  society  the  j^revious 
year,  at  which  time  it  was  "  Resolved,  That,  because  of  the  extent  of  our 
territory  and  the  impossibility  of  frequent  meetings  between  the  ladies  of 
the  I'^ast  and  West,  we  advise  that  there  be  two  branches  of  the  society, 
one  called  the  Eastern  branch,  the  other  the  Western  branch  ;  that  these 
branches  act  independently  in  matters  of  minor  importance,  and  together, 
by  correspondence  or  delegation,  in  the  selection  and  ai)i)ointment  of 
missionaries  and  upon  all  questions  which  in  their  nature  demand  su-.-h 
co-operation  to  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  common  cause."  A 
committee  was  electetl  "  to  assist  in  prosecuting  the  work  of  the  Wom- 
an's Missionary  Society  in  the  \\'est,"  of  which  Miss  Harriet  Preston 
Phillips  iiroved  a  very  energetic  secretary.  This  committee  labored  with 
varying  success,  slowly  but  surely  ])lacing  their  banner  in  state  after  state. 
In  188:5,  at  the  annual  meeting  in  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  Eastern  and 
\\estern  women  met  in  consultation  upon  this  subject  for  the  first  time. 
It  was  then  decided  to  secure  a  woman  when  possible  for  each  yearly 
meeting  west  of  Ohio  who  should  organize  women's  missionary  societies 
or  do  evangelistic  work  in  churches  needing  such  help.  Women  were 
appointed  and  traveled  thousands  of  miles,  reclaiming  waste  places  and 


42 


Free  Baptist  JVomau's  Missionary  Society. 


strengthening  the  churches.  Special  mention  should  be  made  of  Mrs.  A. 
A.  McKenney,  who  was,  during  the  nine  years  succeeding  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  first  woman's  missionary  society  in  Minnesota,  largely  instru- 
mental in  raising  through  that  one  channel  $10,690  for  missionary  pur- 
poses m  that  state.  It  welcomed  its  first  auxiliary  in  1882.  In  1887  it 
was  the  banner  state— a  woman's  missionary  society  in  each  Free  Baptist 
church  and  one  where  there  was  no  church. 

In  1889  a  Western  branch  was  formed,  which  for  six  years  rendered 
valuable  service,  until  by  the 
discontinuance  of  the  West- 
ern Association  in  order  to 
become  a  part  of  the  General 
Conference  it  seemed  advis- 
able for  the  Western  branch 
also  to  discontinue  and  con- 
duct its  work  as  formerly  un- 
der the  direction  of  a  Western 
committee.  This  was  done, 
funds  were  transmitted  to  the 
committee,  and  cheering  re- 
sults have  followed  this  change 
of  policy. 

In  1890  Mrs.  M.  C. 
Miner,  having  been  transferred 
by  the  Conference  Board  to 
the  Woman's  Missionary  Soci- 
ety, was  adopted  and  sup- 
ported by  Iowa  until  her  re- 
turn to  America  in  1895. 

In  1 89 1  Michigan  assumed  the  support  of  Dr.  Mary  Washington 
Bacheler.  Rev.  Phebe  Elizabeth  Moody  of  Hillsdale,  Mich.,  while  study- 
ing in  Hillsdale  Divinity  school,  was  first  employed  by  that  state  society 
for  a  short  period.  In  1891,  and  from  that  time  until  her  graduation  in 
1895,  she  spent  a  portion  of  each  summer  vacation  in  the  same  manner. 
Since  1896  she  has  been  traveling  as  Western  field  agent  of  the  national 
Woman's  Society.  "  Her  work  is  of  constantly  increasing  value,  and  we 
are  greatly  blessed  in  having  so  faithful  and  successful  a  representative," 


Mrs.  A.  A.  McKenney, 
Western  Secretary. 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society 


4i 


writes  one  of  the  offi- 
cials. Mrs.  Carrie  Con- 
solus,  appointed  in  1898 
assistant  field  agent,  ac- 
companies and  aids  Miss 
Moody  whenever  her 
services  are  needed. 
The  labors  of  these  and 
various  other  women, 
who  have  been  em- 
ployed for  terms  of  ser- 
vice varying  from  a  few 
months  to  se\'eral  years, 
have  greatly  i)romoted 
the  cause  in  the  \\'est. 

The  same  day  in 
June,  1873,  that  the  na- 
tional Woman's  Mission- 
ary Society  had  its  birth 
in  the  East  a  woman's 
missionary  society  was 
organized  at  Johnston, 
Rock  County,  Wis.,  by 

some  of  the  ladies  who  had  read  the  "  call  "  in  the  Moniini;  Star.  The 
pastor,  Rev.  Reuel  Cooley,  a  returned  missionary,  prepared  the  constitu- 
tion and  by-laws.  Other  societies  were  formed  from  time  to  time  which 
united  in  a  yearly  meeting  woman's  society,  June  23,  1877.  During  the 
first  nine  years  the  funds  were  used  for  different  purposes  among  the 
freedmen  and  also  for  zenana  teaching  in  India.  For  the  last  eleven  years 
these  societies  have  contributed  largely  to  the  salaries  of  Rev.  M.J.  and 
Mrs.  Coldren,  who  are  now  the  accredited  missionaries  of  Wisconsin.  .-Vs 
there  were  at  first  few  missionary  societies  in  the  West  outside  of  Wis- 
consin, they  failed  to  unite  with  the  national  society,  although  this  was 
the  first  Western  state  to  send  a  contribution  to  its  treasury.  It  has  since 
been  considered  desirable  to  continue  the  plan  which  had  seemed  success- 
ful in  the  state,  so  these  societies  are  at  present  connected  with  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  to  which  they  have  contributed  more  than  Si 0,000. 


Rev.  Phebe  Elizabeth  Moody. 


44 


Free  Baptist  Vyowaus  LMissionarv  Society. 


Harriet  Preston  Phillips. 


While    a 
few  other  wom- 
an's   mission 
societies      are 
a  u  X  i  1  i  a  r  y    to 
their    state  or- 
ganizations, no- 
tably the  Ohio 
societies,  which 
are     aiding    in 
the  support  of 
Dr.  Helen  Phil- 
lips,    from     all 
such     states 
come      regular 
contributions 
to  the  national 
society,  and  all 
are  working  in 
harmony  to  ac- 
complish     one 
object  — the 
ultimate    reign 
of  Christ. 

Rhode  Isl- 
and    was     the 


first  state  to  assume  the  responsibility  of  sending  and  supporting  aVorei^n 
BHssionary  under  the  auspices  of  the  Women's  Society.     In  1878  Harrret 

MTsfpi-r'"'"."^  '"T"''  '-  the  Board  and  assigned  to  that  state. 
Mi  s  Phdhps  IS  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Phillips,  and  the  fifth  of 
that  remarkable  family  to  return  as  missionary  to  their  native  land  She 
IS  a  graduate  of  Hillsdale  college,  and  for  nine  years  was  a  teacher  in  the 
city  schools  of  Chicago.  While  her  intellectual  attainments,  self-reliance 
and  n.tegnty  of  purpose  are  of  a  high  order,  her  piety  is  pre-eminent' 
Enjoying  in  the  keenest  sense  all  that  the  words  civilization  and  sociai 
intercourse  mean,  yet,  after  a  night  of  struggle,  once  for  all  she  settled  for 
herself  life  s  mission,  with  the  words,  '<  I  am  ready  to  go  where  God  wants 


Free  Bapti<.t  Woiuaii's  Missioiuiiy  Society.  ^5 

me  to  go."  Uns\ver\inf(  in  her  devotion  to  duty  as  she  understands  it, 
separating  from  much  that  had  become  endeared  to  her,  she  left  a  hicra- 
tive  position  at  the  Master's  call,  saying,  "  As  for  my  talents  and  my  life, 
I  have  dedicated  both  to  His  service."  Sept.  14  a  meeting  was  holden 
in  the  Roger  Williams  church,  Providence,  R.  I.,  for  the  public  recogni- 
tion of  their  missionary-elect.  It  was  of  thrilling  interest  and  hallowed 
influence.  She  sailed  from  New  \'ork  for  India,  Oct.  5,  accompanied  by 
six  others  destined  for  the  same  field.  She  came  home  for  a  furlough  in 
1889  and  returned  in  1S92.  She  is  the  senior  foreign  mission  ir\-  of  the 
Woman's  .Society,  secretary,  treasurer,  and  chairman  of  the  India  Advi- 
sory Committee,  superintendent  of  the  department  of  Sunday  schools,  and 
has  recently  succeeded  her  niece  as  superintendent  of  the  kmdergarten 
department  ;  in  all  of  which  positions  she  has  shown  marked  efficiency. 
In  1895  she  was  elected  president  of  the  Orissa  Branch  of  the  Woman's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  and  is  now  the  editor  of  77ic  IV/iite  Rib- 
bo  71  for  Asia.  In  both  positions  she  has  won  for  herself  a  i)lace  of  no 
small  importance  among  the  leaders  of  that  refonii  in  India. 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

Dorcas  Folsom  Smith.     Sinclair  Orphanage.     Widows'  Home. 

National  Council  of  Women. 

O  R  C  A  S 
FOLSOM 
SMITH, 

a  youthful  bride, 
accompanied  her 
husband  to  India 
in  1 85  2.  For  ten 
years  they  were 
located  at  Bala- 
sore,  whither  they 
ret'irned  from  a 
furlough  in  1S69, 
and  where  the  hus- 
band. Rev.  Ben- 
jamin Burleigh 
Smith,  died  in 
1 87 2.  Mrs.  Smith 
remained  until 
1877.  Returning 
to  India  in  1880 
as  an  independent 
worker,  the  death 
of  Lavina  Craw- 
ford having  left  a 
vacancy  in  the  Orphanage  at  Balasore,  Mrs.  Smith  was  assigned  the  post  so 
long  and  faithfully  filled  by  her  friend.  She  was  invited  by  the  Woman's 
Society  to  join  its  corps  of  missionaries,  and  the  acceptance  of  this  invita- 
tion in  1882  afforded  much  gratification.  In  1886,  Jellasore  being  con- 
sidered an  undesirable  location  because  of  malarial  fever,  the  Orphanage 
was  removed  to  Balasore,  where  land  and  buildings  were  secured  by 
Mrs.  Smith  for  its  establishment.  These  were  transferred  to  the  society 
in  1887. 


Dorcas  Folsom  Smith. 


Free  Bdpfisf  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 


47 


Mrs.  Oil 


irr*' 


By  a  timely  gift  from 
Rev.  John  L.  Sinclair  ami 
his  flevoted  wife,  Mrs.  Olive 
1'-.  Sinclair,  the  buildings 
were  remodeled,  made 
commodious,  and  were 
given  the  name  of  the  do- 
nors—  Sinclair  Orphanage. 
It  was  occupied  for  the  first 
time  in  i88<S,  with  Mrs. 
Smith  as  superintendent.  .A 
permanent  home  during  life 
was  provided  for  her  as  one 
of  the  conditions  of  the 
gift.  From  this  institution 
hundreds  of  girls  have  gone 
to  help  make  Christian 
homes  in  that  dark  land, 
and  many  more  are  spread- 
ing the  truths  of  the  gos- 
pel as  Bible  readers  and 
/enana  teachers. 


The  child- 
widows  of  India 
strongly  appealed 
to  the  symi)athics 
of  this  motherly 
woman,  a  n  d  i  n 
later  years  it  was 
one  of  the  domi- 
nant purposes  of 
her  life  to  provide 
for  thenia'Mujme." 
Miss  Jessie  Hoop- 
er,    missionary    of  Sinclair  Orphanage. 

the    I'ree  Baptists  of  New  Brunswick,  while  associated  with  our  workers 
in  Imlia   had  her  heart  also  deeply  stirred  by  the  sad  condition  of  these 


)i4    i^i 


^8  Free  Baptist  Woman' >>  Missionary  Society. 

poor,  neglected,  degraded  ones.  The  strong  faith  of  these  two  women, 
planning,  pleading,  and  praying,  at  length  saw  the  desired  result.  "  The 
Dorcas  Smith  Widows'  Home  "  was  formally  dedicated  Oct.  22,  1898. 
It  is  located,  for  better  protection,  within  the  compound  of  Sinclair 
Orphanage,  and  consists  of  two  houses — one  for  the  superintendent 
and  one  for  the  widows — with  ample  room  to  erect  others  whenever 
needed.  Miss  J.  J.  Scott,  who  came  to  our  aid  from  another  denomina- 
tion, had  shown  such  adaptation  to  the  care  of  these  afflicted  and  sorrow- 
ing sisters  of  ours  that  she  was  elected  superintendent  of  the  "  Home." 

Mrs.  Smith's  vitality  was  so  exhausted  by  the  additional  labor  of 
establishing  this  "  Home  "  that  her  system  could  not  rally  from  a  severe 
attack  of  jMieumonia  which  seized  her  at  Calcutta.  She  had  reached  that 
city  in  a  little  tour  she  was  making  among  her  friends  prior  to  what  she 
supposed  would  be  her  final  leave-taking  of  India  for  America  in  the 
early  spring.  She  gently  passed  away,  Feb.  11,  1899,  at  the  American 
Union  Mission  Home,  Calcutta.  The  loss  of  this  faithful,  strong  woman, 
who  for  many  years  had  been  secretary,  treasurer,  and  chairman  of  the 
Advisory  Committee  of  India,  was  deeply  felt.  She  was  a  woman  of 
great  executive  ability.  She  could  plan  wisely  and  bring  to  pass  what  she 
had  planned.  A  coadjutor  writes,  "  In  business  matters  generally  I  would 
trust  her  judgment  in  preference  to  that  of  almost  any  man." 

The  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society  of  New  Brunswick 
was  organized  Oct.  4,  1875,  by  Mrs.  Mary  R.  Phillips,  at  a  session  of  the 
General  Conference  held  at  Millstream,  Kings'  County.  It  now  numbers 
sixty-seven  auxiliaries,  and  receives  contributions  from  a  majority  of  Free 
Baptist  churches  in  the  province.  Their  first  missionary.  Miss  Hooper, 
was  sent  to  India  in  1878.  Faihng  health  caused  her  to  return,  but  her 
efforts  in  the  home-field  were  crowned  with  abundant  success  until  her 
resignation  in  1892,  Through  the  missionaries  of  their  General  Confer- 
ence, Rev.  and  Mrs.  Boyer,  the  work  which  Miss  Hooper  had  commenced 
was  carried  on  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Boyer,  when  Miss  L.  E.  Gaunce 
was  sent  to  take  charge  of  the  new  interest  at  Ujurda,  with  headquarters 
at  Balasore.  Closely  associated  with  oar  missionaries  in  that  city,  she 
often  rendered  valuable  aid,  and  when  our  beloved  veteran,  Dorcas  Folsom 
Smith,  left  forever  the  scene  of  her  earthly  toil  and  triumph,  Miss  Gaunce, 
by  the  unanimous  request  of  the  Woman's  xMissionary  Society,  was  granted 
permission  to  take  charge  of  Sinclair  ( )rphanage  in  addition  to  other  duties. 


Free  Baptist  Wonhiii's  Missiouiiyy  Society 


49 


Although  the  New  lirunswick  mil  Nova  Scotia  women's  mission 
societies  are  nA  auxiliary  to  the  nitional  society,  yet  they  contribute 
regularly  to  its  treasury  for  the  support  of  the  children's  missionary,  Miss 
Kmilie  Barnes,  and  of  the  Widows'  Hc^me.  The  attachment  of  the  soci- 
eties for  each  other  is  of  long  standing  and  very  dee|)ly  rootetl,  and  we 
are  glad  to  sustain  a  warm  fimily  relationship,  even  if  li\ing  under  dif- 
ferent roofs. 


Widows'    Home,  Superintendent's  House. 

A  memorable  international  council  of  women  met  in  our  national 
capital,  March  25  to  .April  i,  1888,  to  celebrate  the  fortieth  anniversary 
of  the  Ifirst  "  Woman's  Rights  "  convention.  This  council  was  not  the 
expression  of  any  dissatisfaction  with  woman's  sphere  as  fixetl  by  nature 
or  decreed  by  grace.  It  was  not  an  effort  to  imitate  mm,  because  it  was 
not  like  anvthing  man  hail  ever  held.     As  laborers  in  the  vinevard  these 


^o  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

women  felt  they  had  been  delinquent,  and  some  other  laborers,  active  but 
unskilled,  had  in  taking  their  places  marred  instead  of  mended.  It  was 
time  to  arouse  and  fill  their  places  as  helpers  of  humanity.  The  council  was 
of  a  high  order  of  intelligence.  Representatives  from  our  own  and  other 
lands  with  masterful  force  discussed  vital  questions  of  temperance,  philan- 
thropv,  social  purity,  industries,  dress-reform,  hygiene,  legal  and  political 
conditions  and  professions.  Two  representatives  of  the  National  Free 
Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society  attended  the  council,  Mrs.  Marilla 
Marks  Brewster  and  Mrs.  Marilla  Marks  Hutchins  Hills.  Mrs.  Hills,  then 
in  her  eighty-second  year,  a  graduate  of  Oberlin  college,  a  classmate  of 
Lucy  Stone  and  Antoinette  Brown,  received  marked  attention.  The  gath- 
ering was  a  magnificent  success.  The  audiences  were  immense,  num- 
bering at  some  sessions  nearly  three  thousand.  Many  distinguished  na- 
tional leaders  indorsed  the  council.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier  flashed 
upon  it  these  ringing  words  : 

"  Press  on,  and,  if  we  may  not  share 
The  glory  of  your  tight. 
We'll  ask  at  least,  in  earnest  prayer, 
God's  blessing  on  tlie  right." 

From  thoughts  carefully  elaborated  before  and  during  the  meeting, 
Mrs.  May  Wright  Sewall,  member  of  the  committee  of  arrangements, 
conceived  the  idea  of  crystallizing  the  result  of  this  gathering  into  two 
permanent  organizations,  national  and  international,  which  should  make 
possible  at  regular  intervals  representative  meetings  of  the  same  character. 
She  accomplished  this  with  her  characteristic  energy,  and  the  National 
Council  of  Women  of  the  United  States  was  organized  March  31,  1888, 
auxiliary  to  an  international  council  of  women  formed  at  the  same  time. 
Miss  Frances  E.  Willard  was  elected  president.  May  Vv'right  Sewall  cor- 
responding secretary. 

Strength  in  union  being  one  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  the 
Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  it  believed  it  could  better  solve 
some  of  the  intricate  problems  for  which  it  was  instituted  by  combin-ng 
its  forces  with  other  women  who  were  considering  measures  of  a  similar 
nature.  Favorably  impressed  with  the  reports  of  their  representatives 
and  strongly  urged  by  Mrs.  Sewall  and  Frances  Willard,  after  careful  con- 
sideration, it  was  finally  decided  by  unanimous  rising  vote,  at  the  annu  il 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 


5' 


meeting,  Laconia,  N.  H.,  Oct.  3,  1888,  to  become  auxiliary  to  the  Na- 
tional Council  of  Women  of  the  United  States.  A  telegram  was  sent 
Miss  WiJlard  announcing  the  action. 

This  society  was  the  fourth  organization  to  join  the  council.  The 
president  and  delegate  have  attended  each  triennial  of  the  council,  and 
at  most  of  the  annual  executive  sessions  some  representative  has  been 
actively  ])resent.      l^y  this  affiliation  the   National    Vree  liaptist  Woman's 


'*<»*5JBii"' 


f'<-*i-fit>*ae^.''.^ 


Widows'   Home — Women's  House,  within  the  Compound. 


ISIissionary  Society  is  recognized  as  a  co-worker  with  the  strongest,  wisest, 
and  best  societies  that  are  laboring  in  physical,  spiritual,  charitable,  phil- 
anthropic, and  missionary  enterprises  throughout  the  world.  The  associa- 
tion is  suggestive  of  and  an  inspiration  to  adopt  new  and  better  methods 
of  helpfulness  to  humanity,  which  might  otherwise  have  remained  untried 
because  unknown.     While  it  receives  of  their  best  from  others  it  cordially 


52  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

gives  of  its  best  to  others.  There  are  now  national  councils  of  women  in 
Canada,  Australia,  and  most  of  the  civilized  countries  of  Asia  and  Europe. 
Much  more  has  been  accomplished  by  this  coalition  of  women,  now  num- 
bering more  than  one  and  a  quarter  million,  in  the  suppression  of  vice, 
prevention  of  cruelty,  for  peace  and  arbitration  and  for  the  uplift  of 
womanhood  of  every  land,  than  could  possibly  have  been  done  during 
the  same  length  of  time  by  all  these  organizations  working  single-handed. 
Frances  Willard,  in  her  last  annual  address  before  the  Woman's  Christian 
Temperance  Union,  spoke  in  strong  and  unmistakable  terms  of  her  faith 
in  the  National  Council  of  Women. 


chai'ii;r  \iii. 

Educationai.  llikKAU.     Chartkk.     Advisory  C()M.\rnTKK.     Miss 
C'ooMi'.s.      Miss   Ik: its. 

^HK  Centennial  Conference  of  Free  Baptists  at  Weirs,  N.  H.,  July 
-3-30-  1880,  decided  to  fix  upon  some  desirable  place  where 
for  rest,  recreation,  "social  and  lijeneral  improvement"  there 
might  be  an  annual  vacation  encampment  of  Free  Baptists.  The  site 
selected  was  Old  Orchard,  Me.  Ocean  Park  Association  was  organized 
Feb.  22,  1 88 1.  Its  Temple  was  dedicated  Aug.  3  of  the  same  year,  in 
season  for  a  religious  assembly  to  convene  a  little  later,  in  connection  with 
which  was  holden  the  woman's  convention  of  Ocean  Park. 

Each  year  the  mothers  met  in  council,  devising  better  physical, 
moral,  and  spiritual  environment  for  their  children  and  a  "  home  "  for 
those  visitors  who  might  prefer  it  to  the  greater  publicity  of  hotel  life. 
As  a  result  the  Woman's  Bureau  of  Ocean  Park  was  formed  in  1885.  A 
building,  origin  dly  designed  for  a  hotel,  wa^  purchased  and  remodeled,  so 
as  to  contain  commodious  reception,  lunch,  and  committee  rooms,  with 
office  and  kitchen  ;  the  second  and  third  floors  to  be  used  for  dormito- 
ries. It  was  named  "  Curtis  Home,"  a  memorial  of  Patience  Curtis,  the 
beloved  wife  of  Rev.  Silas  Curtis,  who  generously  aided  the  enterprise. 

'i'his  organization  was  incorporated  under  the  title  "  Educational 
Bureau  of  Ocean  Park,"  in  1887,  the  very  day  when  the  saintly  spirit  of 
its  first  president,  Clara  Evans  Dexter, 

"  todk 
The  one  grand  step  Ijcyond  the  stars  of  (io.l, 
Into  the  splendors,  shadowless  and  broad. 
Into  the  everlasting  joy  and  Hght." 

Her  serene  face  as  it  looks  down  from  the  will  of  the  reception-rooni 
seems  to  show  a  gleam  of  satisf:iction  that  what  she  so  ardently  desired 
has  reached  such  fruition. 

In  the  committee-rooms  are  taught  daily,  during  the  annual  assembly, 
normal.  Bible  and  missionary  lessons,  with  the  help  of  maps,  sand-boards, 
and  curios.  In  the  reception-room  gather  old  friends  from  all  points  of 
the  compass  —  missionaries,  elect  and  on  furlough,  teachers  from  Harper's 
Ferry  ami  strangers,  all  gathering  around  the  inviting  hearth  for  social 
intercourse. 


5^  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

A  few  years  later  an  adjoining  building  and  grounds  were  purchased, 
wliere,  after  the  most  approved  hygienic  cooking,  is  furnished  food  for 
the  tables  of  those  who  wish  it.  A  well-stocked  grocery,  a  lunch-room 
for  regular  or  transient  guests,  and  two  stories  of  dormitories  make  of 
this  property  a  very  acceptable  and  attractive  feature  of  Ocean  Park. 
The  name,  "  Blake  Industrial,"  was  conferred  in  honor  of  Mrs.  jNIehitabie 
Coolbroth  Blake  of  Lowell,  Mass.  Mrs.  Curtis  and  Mrs.  Blake  having 
been  associate  workers  and  friends  during  life,  it  seemed  especially  fitting 
that  they  should  still  be  united  in  name  with  the  busy  and  helpful  throng 
of  women  that  cluster  about  this  summer  denominational  home. 

While  the  bureau  has  an  entirely  distinct  organization  it  was  con- 
ceived in  the  consecrated  brain  and  heart  of  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Society,  which  has  approved  and  upheld  it  and  finds  in  its  success  a  very 
efficient  auxiliary  to  its  own  work,  as  its  stated  object  is  "  to  promote  a 
knowledge  of  and  obedience  to  physical,  moral,  and  spiritual  laws."  The 
bureau  holds  an  annual  convention  during  each  Assembly,  in  which  mis- 
sions have  a  prominent  place,  and  subjects  pertaining  to  the  highest  and 
best  in  home  life,  to  personal  culture  and  spiritual  growth,  are  discussed 
with  freedom  and  force. 

As  funds  increased  a  charter  was  a  necessity.  An  effort  to  secure 
one  in  1875  ^^^^  failed.  A  second  attempt  was  made  in  1882,  but  so 
many  obstacles  were  presented  that  it  was  again  abandoned.  A  charter 
granting  the  society  the  privilege  of  holding  meetings  and  electing  its 
officers  in  any  state  in  the  Union  required  special  legislation.  Dr.  Oren 
B.  Cheney,  president  of  Bates  college,  kindly  volunteered  to  lay  the  re- 
quest of  the  society  before  the  judiciary  committee  of  the  legislature  of 
Maine,  and  urge  the  waiving  of  objections  that  might  arise.  At  his  soli- 
citation the  request  was  granted  Jan.  26,  1883.  Feb.  20,  1883,  the  char- 
ter was  accepted,  the  life-members  of  the  society  becoming  life-members 
of  the  chartered  organization.  At  an  adjourned  meeting,  Aug.  15,  1883, 
Ocean  Park,  Me.,  the  constitution  and  by-laws  were  adopted,  and  all  per- 
sons who  were  members  of  the  society,  from  the  payment  of  annual  or 
weekly  dues,  became  members  of  the  chartered  body. 

Inexperienced  as  was  the  organization,  it  labored  with  some  difficulty 
to  perfect  plans  that  were  practicable  and  easily  understood.  A  manual 
was  issued  in  1884,  containing  the  charter,  constitutions,  valuable  sugges- 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society 


55 


tions  and  parliamentary  rules,  all  in  such  comi)lete  and  inviting  form  as  to 
commend  it  to  the  needs  of  the  workers  and  give  a  clearer  understanding 
of  the  work.     A  second  edition  was  published  in  1887. 

Nov.  II,  1882,  Miss  Lavina  Carr  Coombs  left  America  for  India. 
Whether  superintending  the  Orphanage  during  the  absence  of  >rrs.  Smith, 
in  the  Bible  school,  or  in  her  own  chosen  ilepartment  —  evangelistic  work 

—  she  exhibits  the  same 
strong,  ]iractical,  earnest 
personality,  that,  clearly 
seeing  the  amount  of  work 


needed,  often  overtaxes  her 

^^g|fc^^  strength  but  never  subdues 

^^^^Kf^^lll^  '"^^^  took  a  fur- 

^^^^^^         ^^  lough  in  1 894,  and  returned 

^^^g  1  to  her  post  in  1896. 

^^f      jJBl    JSL'  ^"  ^^^-^  '^  j°'"^  ^"°'''^" 

7W       i^Wr  mittee    was    constituted, 

composed  of  three  mem- 
bers from  each  of  the  mis- 
sion organizations  of  the 
denomination,  to  consider 
all  cantlidates  for  the  mis- 
sion, and  all  other  business 
of  common  interest.  An 
advisory  committee  was  at 
the  same  time  appointed  in 
India,  to  confer  with  the 
representatives  of  the  jiar- 
ent  board  when  necessary 
and  to  have  charge  of  the 
work  done  by  this  society  in  the  foreiizn  field.  Annual  rej^orts  of  expen- 
ditures and  receipts  at  each  station  are  recpiired  of  it,  also  an  itemized 
estimate  of  needs  for  the  succeeding  \  ear. 

Miss  Ellen  Folsom,  a  cousin  of  Dorcis  Folsom  Smith,  went  to  India 
under  direction  of  Dr.  Charles  Cul'.is.  She  was  afteiward  employed  by 
the  Canadian  Baptists,  at  Cocanada,  r.mong  the  Telegus.  Having  shown 
herself  very  efficient,  by  her  help  at  Jellasore  and  Balasore  in  a  previous 


Lavina    Carr  Coombs. 


.56 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 


time  of  need,  she  was  appointed  by  the  board  a  co-worker  with  Mrs. 
Smith,  in  Sinclair  Orphanage,  Oct.  14,  1884.  I'o  the  great  disappoint- 
ment of  all  parties,  circumstances  connected  with  a  previous  engagement 
rendered  it  inexpedient  for  her  to  accept  the  position. 

In  1886,  Ella  May 
Butts,  who,  after  studying 
two  years  in  France  and 
Germany  to  fit  herself  for 
a  professorship  in  modern 
languages,  had  completed 
her  eleventh  year  as  teacher 
and  third  as  lady  principal 
of  New  Hampton  Literary 
Institution,  resigned  her 
position  to  take  the  place 
of  teacher  in  the  Midna- 
pore  Bible  school. 

When  first  solicited  to 
make  the  change  she  at 
once  replied  in  the  nega- 
tive, adding,  "  I  have  never 
thought  I  had  a  call  to  In- 
dia." Later  in  a  personal 
letter  she  characteristically 
wrote,  "  When  I  gave  my 
allegiance  to  Christ  it  was 
to  serve  him  when  and 
where  I  was  most  needed. 
If  India  needs  me  most  I 
am  ready  to  go  there."  Faithful,  unselfish,  enthusiastic  ;  a  sweet,  hearty 
•Christian,  with  strong,  satisfying  individuality ;  remarkably  energetic, 
clear-headed,  cool,  and  practical,  she  is  capable  of  a  great  variety  of 
service.  Her  scholarship  is  of  a  superior  order.  Previous  study  helped 
her  to  acquire  readily  a  critical  knowledge  of  the  native  language.  She 
has  charge  of  the  wives  of  the  married  Bible  students,  whose  education 
she  conducts  personally  and  without  assistance.  The  same  molding 
influence  is  felt  there  which  was  so  apparent  at  New  Hampton.     With  a 


Ella  May  Butts. 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  ^y 

sound  mind  in  a  sound  body,  as  a  true  Samaritan  to  the  poorest  and 
most  suffering,  with  no  regard  to  their  worthiness  or  future  goodness,  she 
ministered  in  that  heathen  land  as  an  angel  of  mercy  for  eleven  years 
with  scarcely  a  vacation.  An  accident  made  it  absolutely  necessary  that 
she  should  take  a  furlough  in  1897.  Her  native  pastor  said  as  she  left, 
"  She  made  herself  poor  for  us."  She  commenced  her  second  term  of 
service  in  i<S99. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Working  Capital.     Cristy  Bequest.     Thank-offering.     Executive 

Committee.     Basis  of  Work.     Instructions. 


'HAT  there  might 
be  no  delay  in 
making  remit- 
tances and  as  a  means 
of  placing  the  society 
upon  a  firm  financial 
basis,  a  working  capital 
was  secured,  composed 
of  funds  donated  for 
that  especial  purpose. 
This  capital  is  so  in- 
vested that  the  papers 
can  be  deposited  in  a 
bank  as  collateral  secu- 
rity should  it  ever  be 
necessary  to  borrow 
money  for  supplying  a 
deficit  in  making  the 
usual  remittance.  In 
such  an  event  the  first 
money  coming  into  the 
treasury  thereafter  would 
be  used  to  redeem  these 
papers.  The  fact  of  this  security  has  given  confidence  in  the  financial 
management  of  the  organization,  and  thus  far  for  nineteen  years  there 
has  been  no  occasion  for  making  such  a  deposit.  The  interest  of  these 
funds  is  used  for  the  general  work  of  the  society. 

In  1892  Robert  Cristy,  Esq.,  Dover,  N.  H.,  stepfather  of  the  treasurer, 
Miss  Laura  A.  DeMeritte,  made  to  the  society  the  largest  bequest  it  has 
ever  received,  $40,000.  Mr.  Cristy  was  a  lifelong  abolitionist,  and  desired 
to  place  a  portion  of  his  fortune  where  it  would  still  be  an  active  factor  in 
aiding  Afro-Americans.  He  had  for  years,  possibly  unconsciously,  scanned 
the  proceedings  of  this  society  with  an  ever-increasing  conviction  of  its 


Mary  A.  Davis, 

President. 


Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 


59 


sound  business  principles,  and  evidently  saw  no  better  avenue  through 
which  to  accomplish  his  purpose.  The  trust  was  accepted  with  profound 
gratitude  to  the  Heavenly  Father  for  moving  this  large-hearted  benefactor 
to  make  such  a  bequest.  The  confidence  evinced  by  him  was  highly  ap- 
preciated and  deemed  a  valuable  recognition  of  woman's  work. 

Calls  for  help  were  numerous  in  1893.  At  the  annual  meeting  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  it  was 
decided  to  make  of  the 
regular  meeting  in  May 
an  annual  thank-offering 
service,  in  remembrance 
of  the  bountiful  mercies 
continually  vouchsafed 
the  organization.  Mite- 
boxes,  envelopes,  and 
circulars  have  been  reg- 
ularly and  freely  distrib- 
uted under  the  direction 
of  the  finance  commit- 
tee, which  reports  in- 
creasing gratitude  on 
the  part  of  donors  and 
an  advance  of  from  $400 
to  $1200  in  the  annual 
contributions  from  this 
source. 

The  perplexing  so- 
cial conditions  which 
surround  many  homes 
early  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  this  society.  To 
reach  and  if  possible  to  improve  these  relations  a  department  of  practical 
Christian  living  was  instituted  in  1890.  Mrs.  Emeline  S.  Burlingame  was 
appointed  its  general  secretary,  and  for  two  years  traveled  extensively, 
organizing  societies  and  preaching  the  gospel  of  missions  and  a  well- 
ordered,  hygienic  home  life  as  essential  to  the  foundation  of  a  robust 
Christian  character  and  successful  Christian  service.     She  now,  as  Mrs. 


Alice  M.  Metcalf, 
Recording   Secretary. 


6o 


Free  Baptist  IVoman's  Missionary  Society. 


Emeline  Burlingame  Cheney,  illustrates  her  department  in  the  charming 
home  of  Dr.  Oren  Burbank  Cheney,  Pawtuxet,  R.  I.  No  other  general 
secretary  has  received  appointment,  but  the  work  is  sustained  through  the 
columns  of  the  Missionary  Helper. 

In  1889  the  four  general  officers  of  the  society  were  constituted  an 
executive   committee,  the  president,  Mary  A.  Davis,  chairman.     Of  ripe 

experience  from  long 
service  in  temperance 
and  church  work,  Mrs. 
Ahce  M.  Metcalf  came 
to  the  aid  of  the  soci- 
ety in  a  time  of  sorest 
need.  Alert,  of  facile 
pen,  concise  in  lan- 
guage, she  is  an  ideal 
recording  secretary.  Of 
quick  sympathies  but 
firm  judgment,  cour- 
teous and  sincere,  she 
is  a  valued  member  of 
the  executive  commit- 
tee. She  is  a  trustee  of 
Storer  college  since 
1894.  Mrs.  Sarah  C.  G. 
Avery  is  the  niece  upon 
whose  worthy  shoulders 
fell  the  honored  mantle 
of  the  first  correspond- 
ing secretary  of  the 
society,  Julia  A.  Lowell, 
who  for  twenty  years 
sent  her  songs,  carols,  and  melodies  to  cheer,  her  reports  vital  with  the 
breath  fresh  from  mission-fields  to  inspire,  and  strong,  earnest,  heart-stirring 
appeals  to  her  co-laborers,  to  arouse  them  to  more  aggressive  efforts.  Mrs. 
Avery  is  a  member  of  Conference  Board.  The  deep  afflictions  through 
which  she  has  been  passing  for  several  years  seem  so  to  have  consumed  the 
dross  as  to  reveal  more  beautifully  the  pure  gold  of  her  noble,  well-poised 


Sarah  C.  G.  Avery, 
Corresponding  Secretary. 


Free  Bnptist  IVonmri's  Missionary  Society.  6i 

Christian  character.  The  treasurer,  Laura  A.  DeMeritte,  is  a  trustee  of 
Storer  college  and  a  member  of  Conference  Board.  She  is  keen  and 
skilled  in  finance,  pleasing  as  a  public  speaker,  and  a  close  student  of  the 
times.  Nothing  seems  to  escape  her  notice  which  will  aid  not  only  this 
society  but  the  denomination  of  which  it  is  an  integral  factor.  She  has 
been  a  member  of  the  board  of  managers  of  the  society  since  its  organ- 
ization twenty-seven  years  ago.  To  this  committee  is  intrusted  whatever 
plans  and  emergencies  of  all  kinds,  not  of  vital  importance,  may  arise 
in  the  interim  between  the  semiannual  meetings  of  the  board. 

The  fact  that  this  is  an  independent  organization  naturally  attracted 
attention,  and  the  question  often  arose,  "  Would  it  not  be  better  to  have 
a  single  denominational  treasury?"  The  society  pursued  the  even  tenor 
of  its  course,  content  to  abide  by  its  own  early  decisions,  until  the  middle 
of  the  second  decade,  when  at  the  annual  meeting  in  Laconia,  N.  H., 
1888,  the  question  was  gravely  discussed  and  a  committee  appointed  to 
consider  the  feasibility  of  such  a  procedure.  When  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  Free  Baptists  was  incorporated,  in  1892,  it  was  strongly  urged 
that  the  Woman's  Missionary  Society  ought  to  be  merged  in  that  body. 
A  plan  was  formulated  and  presented  to  the  society  for  its  adoption. 
This  in  revised  form  was  returned  to  Conference  for  action.  At  the  last 
session  of  General  Conference,  in  1898,  Ocean  Park,  Me.,  it  was  decided 
that  the  time  had  not  come  when  such  "  consolidation  "  would  be  either 
wise  or  practicable. 

The  "basis  of  work "  and  "instructions"  adopted  by  the  society 
have  received  much  favor. 

BASIS    OF   WORK. 

1.  A  careful  estimate  of  funds  needed  is  made  at  the  commence- 
ment of  each  fiscal  year  by  the  board  of  managers,  assisted  by  the  mis- 
sionaries and  teachers. 

2.  .\  definite  sum  is  annually  appropriated. 

3.  The  sum  appropriated  is  equitably  apportioned  to  the  different 
quarterly  meeting,  yearly  meeting,  and  association  auxiliaries. 

4.-  The  home  secretary  is  instructed  to  ascertain  if  this  plan  is  car- 
ried out  successfully  and  to  urge  its  accomplishment. 

5.  Assignments  are  made  in  the  same  manner  of  subscribers  for  the 
Missionary  Helper. 


62  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

INSTRUCTIONS   TO    MISSIONARY    APPLICANTS. 

1.  A  missionary  candidate  must  be  fully  convinced  that  she  is 
called  to  work  in  a  foreign  land. 

2.  She  must  present  a  certificate  of  health  from  a  competent  phy- 
sician. 

3.  She  must  present  satisfactory  testimonials  of  education  from 
reliable  authority. 

4.  She  must  possess  financial  and  executive  ability,  power  to  adapt 
herself  to  surrounding  circumstances,  and  a  degree  of  skill  in  teaching. 

5.  As  a  rule  her  age  should  not  be  less  than  twenty- two  years,  nor 
more  than  thirty  years,  although  a  thorough  intellectual  training,  a  facility 
for  acquiring  languages,  and  a  marked  ability  for  Christian  work  may  con- 
stitute sufficient  reason  for  departure  from  this  rule. 

6.  She  must  assert  her  willingness  to  labor  in  any  field,  though  her 
preference  will  always  be  considered. 

7.  A  furlough  of  one,  two,  or  three  years,  as  the  case  may  demand, 
is  granted  at  the  end  of  each  ten  years  of  service. 

SPECIAL   INSTRUCTIONS    FOR    MISSIONARIES-ELECI'. 

1.  Each  missionary  sent  by  this  society  is  expected  to  use  her  time 
in  the  manner  that  will  promote  her  legitimate  work. 

2.  She  is  expected  to  send  annual  reports  of  her  work  and  of  all 
funds  received  and  expended  (salary  not  included)  to  the  corresponding 
secretary,  also  to  send  from  time  to  time  such  items  as  will  be  of  general 
interest  for  publication. 

3.  The  society  agrees  to  pay  outfit  and  necessary  expenses  of  its 
missionaries  in  reaching  their  field  of  labor,  salaries  from  time  of  arrival, 
and,  in  case  any  one  is  obliged  to  relinquish  her  position  on  account  of  ill 
health,  to  pay  expenses  of  her  return  home,  also  her  passage  when  taking 
furlough  at  the  end  of  ten  years  of  service. 

4.  Each  missionary  employed  by  this  society  is  required  to  give  five 
years  at  least  of  consecutive,  continuous  service  to  the  work  assigned  her. 
Should  she  from  any  reason  (sickness  excepted)  withdraw  from  the  mis- 
sion before  the  expiration  of  that  time  she  must  give  due  notice  of  her 
intention  to  do  so,  and  will  be  required  to  refund  amount  expended  for 
outfit  and  passage. 

5.  Each  lady  employed  by  this  society  will  be  required  to  signify 
her  willingness  to  comply  with  the  above  instructions  by  signing  her  name 
thereto. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Summary. 
^WENTV-FIVK  states,  the  province  of  (^)uebec,  and  India  are  repre- 
sented in  this  organization.      Its  numerical  strength  is  about  eight 
thousand. 
Representatives  in  India  : 

Susan  R.  Libby,  1874  ;  left  1876  ;   died  1S78. 

Mary  W.  Bacheler,    1S76  ;  came  home   1883;   returned   1890; 

came  home  1900. 
Ida  Orissa  Phillips,  1877  ;  came  home  18S7  ;  died  1889. 
Harriet    Preston    Phillips,    1878:    came  home   1889:    returned 

T892. 
Dorcas  Folsom  Smith,  1882  ;  came  home  1891  ;  returned  1892  ; 

died  1899. 
Lavina  Carr  Coombs,  1883;  came  home  1894;  returned  1896. 
Ella  May  Butts,  1886  ;  came  home  1897  ;  returned  1898. 
Emilie  Barnes,  1894. 

Mrs.  M.  C.  Miner,  1890;  came  home  1895. 
Julia  J.  Scott,  1894;  went  to  her  home  in  Scotland  1896;  re- 
turned 1897. 
Mary  Sophia  Phillips,  1896;  left  1897. 
Besides  the  support  of  these  missionaries,  each  woman   in  the  field, 
whether  of  the  Cieneral  Conference  Board  or  of  the  Woman's  Society,  re- 
ceives annually  an  appropriation  for  local  work  among  women  and  chil- 
dren, also  for  the  support  of  schools,  zenana  teachers,  and  Bible  women. 

Sinclair  Orphanage,  the  Dorcas  Smith  Widows'  Home,  and  Rhode 
Island  Kindergarten  Hall  are  the  property  of  the  society,  and  are  located 
at  Balasore. 

Representatives  at  Storer  college  : 

Lura  Brackett  Lightner,  lady  principal,  1875. 
Louise  Wood  Brackett,  1880;   left  1884. 
Coralie  Franklin  Cook,  1881  ;  left  1893. 
Kate  C.  Boothby,  1890;  died  1893, 
Marian  G.  Vail,  1892  ;  left  1893. 
Mary  Brackett  Robertson,  1893  ;  left  1S97. 
Ella  Victoria  Smith,  1893. 


64  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

Marilla  Marks  Brewster,  1887  ;   left  1888. 

M.  Jennie  Baker,  1893. 

E.  Claire  Sands,  1897. 

Mary  Virginia  Brown,  1898. 

Stella  James,  1898. 
In  addition  to  the  salaries  paid  these  teachers  an  annual  appropria- 
tion is  made  to  the  domestic  science  department,  and  also  for  heating, 
lighting,  and  caring  for  the  study  room. 

Four  members  of  the  society  are  trustees  of  the  college — Laura  A. 
DeMeritte,  Prof.  Frances  Stewart  Mosher,  Alice  M.  Metcalf,  and  Coralie 
Franklin  Cook.  The  two  first  were  appointed  by  the  college,  the  others 
were  nominated  by  the  society  and  elected  by  the  college  in  1894. 

At  the  first  annual  meeting,  October,  1873,  the  treasurer  reported 
^538.40  received  since  the  preliminary  meeting  in  June.  During  the  first 
eleven  years  $28,601.96  came  into  the  treasury.  Six  missionaries  were 
sent  to  India  and  three  to  Harper's  Ferry.  Scarcely  a  bequest  was  re- 
ceived during  that  period.  Total  receipts  from  June  16,  1873,  to  Aug. 
31,  1899,  $185,564.87.  Total  expenditures  for  home  and  foreign  mis- 
sions have  been  about  equal  in  amount  to  receipts  for  those  purposes, 
leaving  in  the  treasury,  Aug.  31,  1899,  a  good  workmg  surplus  with  which 
to  commence  the  year.  The  permanent  fund  inventoried  August,  1899, 
$39,5.26.81.  Premium  value  in  addition  $6435.  The  salary  of  mission- 
aries varies  from  $350  to  $500.  During  furlough  salary  is  paid  propor- 
tionate to  service  rendered  the  society. 

In  1 89 1,  when  the  shadow  of  a  great  sorrow  brooded  over  Orissa,  as 
two  of  its  strong,  young  missionary  workers  entered  into  rest,  a  day  of 
prayer  was  appointed  by  the  foreign  mission  board  that  a  fresh  baptism  of 
missionary  spirit  might  descend  upon  the  churches,  inspiring  them  to  give 
of  their  money  and  themselves  to  God's  cause.  The  Woman's  Missionary 
Society  voted  to  approve  and  aid  in  the  observance.  So  signally  were 
these  prayers  answered  that  the  day  of  the  meeting  of  the  February  aux- 
iUary  has  become  a  day  of  annual  prayer  throughout  the  organization.  In 
1894  the  auxiliaries  were  instructed  to  make  the  November  meeting  one 
of  thanksgiving  for  the  blessings  of  increase  of  funds  through  regular 
avenues  and  important  bequests.  In  1896  an  Emergency  League  was 
started,  its  m.embers  pledging  themselves  to  help  meet  any  financial  crisis 
that  might  arise. 


Free  Baptist   JVoman's   Missionary  Society.  65 

Miss  Shirlev  H.  Smith  lias  been  missionary-elect  for  the  last  three 
years.  She  is  a  resident  of  Hillsdale,  Mich.,  and  a  graduate  of  its  college. 
When  a  necessity  arose  for  taking  immediate  steps  toward  making  arrange- 
ments for  filling  a  vacancy  in  the  medical  department,  which  would  occur 
■  during  the  furlough  of  Dr.  Mary  Bacheler,  Miss  Smith,  induced  by  her 
strong  desire  to  study  medicine,  entered  the  medical  department  of  Ann 
Arbor  University,  to  fit  herself  for  that  position.  She  will  complete  her 
course  in  1900,  and  is  expected  to  sail  for  India  in  the  autumn  of  that 
year.  She  will  have  the  support  and  confidence  granted  during  life  by 
tha  state  of  Vermont  to  her  predecessor,  Dorcas  Folsom  Smith. 

Four  only  of  those  who  have  been  employed  by  the  society  have  been 
removed  by  death  during  their  term  of  service.  The  roll  of  life-members 
numbers  between  four  and  five  hundred.  Many  whose  names  have  been 
there  recorded  have  received  the  "  new  name." 

A    DRKAINI    OF    THE    FUTURE. 

India  with  her  Free  Baptist  mission  strengthened  by  the  sinew  and 
might  of  the  intellectual,  spiritual,  and  gracious  presence  and  labors  of  the 
best  and  most  consecrated  of  its  educated  men  and  women,  until  from  the 
Himalayas  to  Cape  Comorin  there  shall  be  no  dialect  that  has  not  the 
Bible,  no  tribe  that  has  not  heard  the  story  of  Christ. 

The  dark-browed  sons  and  daughters  of  Storer  going  forth  to  receive 
the  full  meed  of  citizenship,  wihtout  comment,  because  equally  intelligent, 
manly,  and  deserving  with  their  lighter-colored  brothers  and  sisters. 
Lynching  as  much  a  thing  of  the  dead  past  as  the  dark  days  of  slavery. 

An  African  mission  a  reality.  Enlightened  children  returning  to  her 
maternal  embrace  bearing  with  them  civilization  and  the  cross.  No  vessel 
polluting  the  ocean  waves,  upon  which  the  stars  in  shame  could  look 
down,  freightetl  for  that  benighted  land  with  the  base  destroyer  of 
human  souls  while  with  high  hopes  of  success  a  missionary  paces  its  deck. 

I'he  Philippines,  Cuba,  and  Hawaii  tropical  jewels  adorning  the 
Saviour's  crown. 

The  church  at  home  no  longer  struggling  as  an  engine  at  half-steam 
in  barring  snowdrifts,  but  with  fully  developed  power — the  strength  that 
(iod  alone, gives — grappling  and  surmounting  all  obstacles  that  obstruct 
the  highway  of  the  Coming  King.  Listlessness,  blindness,  ignorance 
yielding  to  the  one  desire  to  know  and  do  the  \vill  of  God,  irrespective  of 
nationality,  color,  or  sex. 


66  Free  Baptist  Woman's  Missionary  Society. 

Will  this  dream  be  realized?  The  doors  of  the  twentieth  century 
swing  backward,  disclosing  a  wondrous  outlook  within  the  range  of  possi- 
bilities for  this  Woman's  Missionary  Society  to  help  make  the  dream  a 
reality.  The  possession  of  ability  includes  not  only  permission  but  a  com- 
mand to  use  it.  The  world's  evangelization  is  surely  going  forward.  Shall 
the  abiUty  and  opportunity  granted  this  society  be  slighted  or  neglected  ? 
"  Beloved,  we  are  persuaded  better  things  of  you,  and  things  that  accom- 
pany salvation.  For  God  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  your  work  and  labor 
of  love."     "  Hold  that  fast  which  thou  hast,  that  no  man  take  thy  crown." 

"  True-hearted,  whole-hearted,  faiJ;hful,  and  loyal, 
King  of  our  lives,  by  thy  grace  we  will  be  ! 
Under  thy  standard,  exalted  and  royal, 

Strong  in  thy  strength  we  will  l)attle  for  thee ! 

"  Half-hearted,  false-hearted  !      Heed  we  the  warning  ! 
Only  the  whole  can  be  perfectly  true; 
Bring  the  whole  offering,  all  timid  thought  scorning, 
True-hearted  only  if  whole-hearted  too. 

"  Peal  out  the  watchword,  and  silence  it  never, 
Song  of  our  spirits,  rejoicing  and  free  ! 
True-hearted,  whole-hearted,  now  and  forever, 
King  of  our  lives,  by  thy  grace  we  will  be." 

The  End. 


m  niJJIONflRT  HELPER 


Published  montlily  by  the  Free  Baptist  ]Voniaifs  Missionary  Society. 


Do  you  read  the  Missionary  Helper?  If  not,  you  are  losing  a 
help  you  need.  It  proves  helpful  in  bringing  each  month,  from  the 
workers  in  our  mission  fields,  intelligence  not  to  be  found  in  other  publi- 
cations. The  reports  from  home  workers  give  mutual  cheer  and 
inspiration. 

Every  Free  Baptist- woman  needs  the  Helper. 

One  subscriber  writes,  "  I  had  occasion  to  search  through  many 
bound  volumes  of  the  Helper,  and  was  surprised  and  delighted  at  the 
richness  of  material  in  them,  as  a  whole,  for  church  work,  for  missionary 
and  Sunday-school  concerts,  for  prayer  meetings,  and  for  W.  C.  T.  U. 
conferences." 

The  Editor  of  the  Free  Baptist  says,  "  It  is  worthy  of  a  place  in  the 
pastor's  study";  and  another  gentleman  says,  "That  such  a  publication 
should  be  absent  from  any  Free  Baptist  home  is  a  matter  for  serious 
regret." 

In  connection  with  more  general  matter  the  Helper  presents  each 
month  helps  for  monthly  meetings,  letters  from  the  field,  words  from 
home  workers,  editor's  and  treasurer's  notes ;  a  Practical  Christian  Living 
department,  which  includes  thoughts  for  the  "Still  Hour  "  and  a  "  Sun- 
shine "  page  ;  a  Junior  department,  and  the  current  contributions  to  the 
F.  B.  W.  M.  S. 

Will  you  subscribe  for  it  at  once,  because  you  need  it  ? 

Terms,  fifty  cents  a  year. 

Address,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Andrews,  Publisher, 

Providence,  R.  I. 


1    1012  01235   0890 

DATE  DUE 

""SNMPs^flfewilil! 

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^^^mtrm 

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CAVLORD 

PRINTED  IN  U.S.A. 

